Kelechi Iheanacho’s Bursaspor scoring run puts Super Eagles return in focus

Kelechi Iheanacho has scored 14 goals and provided three assists in 10 appearances for Bursaspor, with his remarkable run reportedly earning him a recall to Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles squad for the Tanzania qualifiers.

The 29-year-old striker has scored in 10 consecutive matches for the Turkish club, a sequence that has made football history in Turkey. The figures, reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria and attributed to Hurriyet, put Iheanacho ahead of the previous national record held jointly by Galatasaray’s Metin Oktay and Saffet Sancaklı of Kocaelispor.

Oktay scored in nine successive matches during the 1962-63 season, while Sancaklı matched that run for Kocaelispor in 1995-96.

Iheanacho had already established a Bursaspor club record by scoring in nine consecutive games. That surpassed Fernandao’s previous mark of eight matches, set during the 2014-15 season.

He extended the record during Bursaspor’s 3-0 victory away to Muglaspor on Thursday 15 October. Iheanacho scored in the 73rd minute before setting up Huseyin Maldar to complete the scoring in the 83rd minute.

Reported Super Eagles return

Legit.ng reported on 16 October that Iheanacho was back in the Super Eagles squad, citing OwnGoal Nigeria.

The forward scored Nigeria’s opening goal in their 3-3 friendly draw with Russia. Other new names in Chelle’s group have also been highlighted by Soccernet, including Banik Ostrava defender Abdullahi Bewene.

Iheanacho joined Bursaspor from Celtic earlier this season after previous spells with Manchester City and Leicester City.

Chelle’s striking options

His current form strengthens the case for his inclusion at a time when Chelle’s choices in attack remain under discussion. Iheanacho’s 14 goals in 10 matches represent a compelling claim, although the manager must decide how the available forwards can be used together.

Victor Osimhen has returned from a groin problem, according to Legit.ng, while Soccernet has questioned whether George Ilenikhena could provide an option behind him.

That means Iheanacho’s selection would be about more than simply rewarding a prolific run. If he maintains his current form, Chelle will have to determine how he fits into a forward line that includes Osimhen and whether he can contribute in the role required by the team.

The Tanzania qualifiers will provide the next test of that decision, with Soccernet outlining their importance to Nigeria’s hopes of reaching AFCON 2027.

The next Super Eagles squad announcement will indicate how much significance Chelle places on a scoring streak that has broken a Turkish football record.