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Kelechi Iheanacho doesn’t mind wandering down memory lane to an autumn day in Marrakesh nine years ago. It was his first time representing Nigeria in an official tournament. He was in for, so they said, a baptism of fire against arch-rivals and tournament favourites Ghana.

The kid from a camouflaged academy in Imo State extinguished that script. Iheanacho sizzled and scored. The Golden Eaglets sensationally won 6-1 en route to FIFA U-17 World Cup™ qualification. The Black Starlets were left to watch the competition from home and would see UAE 2013 belong to Nigeria and its adidas Golden Ball winner.

Curiously, Iheanacho has never faced Ghana again. That is, nevertheless, set to change on an Autumn day on Cape Coast. There, the Black Stars will host the Super Eagles in the first leg of their play-off for a place at another FIFA competition on the Arabian Peninsula.

FIFA caught up with Iheanacho to discuss his evolution as a player, learning from Sergio Aguero and Jamie Vardy, his Russia 2018 experience, the intense Ghana-Nigeria rivalry and the 25-year-old’s confidence his country will reach the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.