Former Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen has lifted the lid on why he benched Leicester striker Iheanacho against Ghana in the return of the 2022 FIFA World final play-offs.
According to Eguavoen, Iheanacho started from the bench because he failed to follow instructions by marking Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey in Kumasi.
Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium on Tuesday, hence the Black Stars sealed qualification on the away goals rule.
"Iheanacho, you saw him a few days ago, his performance against Manchester United and people were saying Iheanacho stayed too long on that field," Eguavoen said on Monday Night Football on SuperSport.
"In Kumasi, we gave Iheanacho a specific role. In as much as he's going to go up there and support [Victor] Osimhen, he has a duty to perform by stopping Thomas Partey.
"Since he didn't do that, I spoke with him. I told him he'll start from the bench and at some point he'll come in."
Ghana’s qualification denied Nigeria a fourth successive outing at the World Cup finals.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 21 to December 18.