The Celtic games Kelechi Iheanacho will miss as Nigeria aim to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

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Kelechi Iheanacho has dampened the outside noise and lifted the mood amongst Celtic supporters. 

But come the winter, Iheanacho is expected to be absent from Celtic duty because he will be competing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for his beloved Nigeria.

Even though Iheanacho had a bit-part season in 2024/25, including going on loan to English Championship side Middlesbrough, from Sevilla before having his contract ripped up, he did play several World Cup qualifiers for his country.

Whilst the 2026 World Cup will be at the centre of the sporting world next summer, the hugely popular Africa Cup of Nations is also set to start on December 21, and Iheanacho is expected to be involved.

So, how many matches will he miss for certain, and how many could he miss for Celtic?

• READ MORE: Ex-Rangers man sends brilliant message to Celtic fans about Kelechi Iheanacho

How many games will Kelechi Iheanacho miss for Celtic, ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations

The issue for Celtic is that Nigeria will be one of the favourites to win the whole competition, so it means more matches for Iheanacho, especially if things go well.

• Nigeria vs Tanzania, December 23, 12:00 (UK time)
• Nigeria vs Tunisia, December 27, 12:00 (UK time)
• Uganda vs Nigeria, December 30, 17:00 (UK time)

If you bear in mind that Nigeria’s first game is on December 23, you have to question when Iheanacho will leave Glasgow, because there is the preparation and travel time to take into account, also.

You also have to remember that some of Celtic’s fixtures during this period could be changed because of TV coverage. 

• Celtic vs Aberdeen, Sunday, 21st December, Premiership.
• Livingston vs Celtic, Saturday, 27th December, Premiership 
• Motherwell vs Celtic, Tuesday, 30th December, Premiership 
• Celtic vs Rangers, Saturday, 3rd January, Premiership 

If Nigeria unexpectedly get knocked out of the group stages, then perhaps, Iheanacho could be back for the Glasgow derby at Parkhead, but at the end of the day, the above fixtures are the ones he will miss. 

What if Nigeria reach the knockout stages?

The knockout stages for the AFCONs will begin on January 3, with the final taking place on January 18.

And these are the Celtic matches Iheanacho could miss, depending on how far Nigeria get.

• Celtic vs Dundee United, Saturday, 10th January, 2026, Premiership
• Scottish Cup, fourth round, weekend of 17th January, 2026
• Bologna vs Celtic, Thursday, 22nd January, 2026, Europa League 

If Nigeria reach the final, then a lot will depend on whether Iheanacho will be rushed back from Morocco to Glasgow, with little training, and then fly out to Italy for a Europa League match.

Either way, Brendan Rodgers is going to hope Daizen Maeda finds his mojo, or Shin Yamada is trusted a lot more, because others will need to step up in his absence.