Kelechi Iheanacho is making waves at Bursaspor just two months after he arrived in Turkey. The Super Eagles striker is now one game away from breaking a club record that has stood for over ten years.
On Saturday, Iheanacho scored twice as Bursaspor beat Batman Petrolspor 2-1 away from home in the Turkish 1 Lig. This win pushed the club to the top of the league table.
With these goals, Iheanacho has now scored 11 times and provided two assists in just eight league matches. He has found the back of the net in every league game since he joined the team.
His latest goals mean he has scored in eight straight matches, tying the Bursaspor record set by Brazilian striker Fernandao in the 2014/15 Süper Lig season. Fernandao scored in eight consecutive league matches from rounds 12 to 19 in that season.
Fernandao began his streak against Kasımpaşa in November 2014 and ended it against Gençlerbirliği in January 2015. He finished that season with 22 league goals and seven assists. Now, more than ten years later, Iheanacho has matched that record even though he is playing in Turkey's second tier.
Before his two goals against Manisa FK on September 7, Iheanacho had already set a personal best by scoring in six straight matches. His last three games have seen him score against Manisa FK, Esenler Erokspor, and Batman Petrolspor, bringing him level with Fernandao's eight-game scoring streak.
Iheanacho has the chance to make Bursaspor history. If he scores in his next league match, he will break Fernandao’s record and set a new club record for consecutive matches with a goal.
His goals have also been key to Bursaspor’s strong start this season. After Saturday’s win, the club stands at the top of the Turkish second division with 19 points from their first eight matches.
Bursaspor has achieved six wins and one draw in these eight games and now leads Kayserispor by three points, with Kayserispor having played one match less.
Iheanacho joined the club this summer as a free agent after a successful time with Celtic in Scotland. He helped Celtic win the league and cup double before moving to Turkey, where he has made an instant impact.
Just a few months into his time at Bursaspor, Iheanacho is already eyeing one of the club’s long-standing scoring records. His great form comes at a crucial time for his international career.
Iheanacho has been called up to Nigeria’s squad for a friendly against Russia next month. This is his first call-up in over a year, giving him a chance to impress Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle. His last game with the national team was at the 2025 Unity Cup in London.
With his confidence high and goals coming in Turkey, Iheanacho will hope that his return to the Super Eagles will help him get back into the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group and possibly the squad for next year’s championship.
For now, another piece of Bursaspor history is within reach; one more goal could make Iheanacho the first player in the club’s history to score in nine straight league matches.
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