My Late Mum Is My Only Constant Motivation During My Highs And Low – Kelechi Iheanacho

Leicester City and Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho could cap off his remarkable season with a silverware this evening when he plays Chelsea in the FA Cup final this evening.

Iheanacho’s season hit top gear in January and he has been in fine goalscoring form since then, helping Leicester City in their quest for top 4 and firing them to the FA Cup final which his four goals in the competition which is joint highest, tied with Tammy Abraham.

The 24year old has endured difficult times of his career since signing for Manchester City as a teenager which saw him dropped from the national team but is gradually working his way back up. 

His signature goal celebration which is to point to the sky, he described it as part of his life now and refers to it as a tribute to his late mum who is his inspiration through highs and lows.

“It’s a part of my life now,” he told New Frame. “Whenever I score, I point to the sky because I know my mother is somewhere there. It’s just something that’s special for me. It is my only way of honouring her. It doesn’t matter if it’s an overhead kick, a spot-kick, a long-range or close-range effort, even a tap-in… it’s all for her.

“She’s the only constant motivation during the highs and lows, because in football people talk about memorable moments but they don’t understand the struggles.”

“She was always by my side, from the start. She believed in me, and supported me all the way through,” he added.

Mercy Iheanacho passed on before Iheanacho’s breakout at your levels for Nigeria and he wishes she’s still here with him; “My mom is always beside me, may her soul rest in peace…

“I wish I had my mom here to celebrate with me because she’s one person in my life that… she always stood by me. It breaks my heart when I remember she is no more and she’s not even enjoying all this.

“Death is unfair. Imagine having the chance to buy her whatever she’d like to have now, take her wherever she’d love to go, yet death took her away. I wish she was here to see what her son has become. Sadly there’s no second chance to live again. But that’s how God wants it and I know she is in a good place.

“She gave me life as a mother and remains the first woman who loved me unconditionally. My mom still holds a special place in my heart and I believe she’s always with me,” he added.

“You know I had only just started playing for the Nigerian youth team when she died. When she passed away unfortunately, I had to grow up fast and not use that as an excuse to fail in life.

“I don’t think there’s anything that comes close to a mother’s love for her child, my mother was amazing and special in so many ways…

“My only wish would always be that she’s here with me to hold me again and I can just say, ‘Mom I did it for you.’”

Iheanacho was named Premier League player of the month of March and also won the goal of the month. He was rewarded with a new three years contract till 2024 for his heroics.

He has also earned himself a place back in Gernot Rohr’s Super Eagles having lost his place before the 2019 AFCON in Egypt where Nigeria came third.

All images via Getty