Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho has found himself under scrutiny after a Sevilla fan alleged a tense confrontation in a car park following Sevilla’s 1-0 defeat to Leganes in La Liga, Soccernet.ng reports.
Iheanacho, who played 73 minutes of the match at the weekend, is reported to have nearly clashed with a supporter, raising concerns about his frustrations on and off the pitch as he struggles to make an impact in Spain.
The fan, Alvaro Palmero, claims that after the loss, he and his friend Carlos Romero confronted Iheanacho outside the stadium, questioning the forward’s attitude.
According to Palmero via Estadio Deportivo, he challenged Iheanacho, who was seen laughing with a club employee and a friend, asking, “What’s so funny after a loss?”
Palmero says the player did not ignore them but instead confronted them, and it was only the restraint of his companions that prevented the situation from escalating.
Palmero further alleged that one of Iheanacho’s associates insulted the fans in a foreign language.
Palmero, frustrated by the team’s recent form, wrote on Twitter:
“We travelled almost 800 kilometres so that a guy who is not even in shape does not know how to shut up when it’s time, and show the balls he can’t show on the pitch.
“More respect for the only ones who defend the Sevilla FC shield properly.”
Iheanacho’s start in Spain has not gone as expected. The forward, who joined Sevilla with a solid goalscoring reputation, has yet to find the net in La Liga, adding to the growing frustration among fans.
Sevilla’s struggles continue, with the team managing only 15 points from 13 games, placing them 13th in the league standings.
The confrontation comes as Iheanacho heads to Abidjan for the Super Eagles’ crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.
The Super Eagles need only to avoid defeat in one of these matches to secure their place in the AFCON tournament set for 2025 in Morocco.
Iheanacho, a member of the squad that reached the final in Côte d’Ivoire earlier this year, will expect to play a key role for Nigeria as they aim to secure their qualification.