Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho is one match
away from creating Bursaspor history after extending his remarkable scoring run
in Turkey with another brace.
The Nigerian scored twice as Bursaspor defeated Batman
Petrolspor 2-1 away from home on Saturday, September 19, strengthening their
position at the top of the Turkish second division.
The goals took Iheanacho’s tally to 11 goals and two
assists in eight league appearances since joining the club this summer. He has
scored in every league match he has played so far.
His latest brace also extended his scoring streak to
eight consecutive league matches, equalling a Bursaspor record previously set
by Brazilian striker Fernandao during the 2014/15 Süper Lig season.
Fernandao found the net in eight successive league
matches between the 12th and 19th rounds of that campaign. He scored against
Kas?mpa?a in November 2014 before ending the run against Gençlerbirli?i in
January 2015.
The Brazilian had scored 13 goals in 18 league
appearances by the end of that sequence and eventually finished the campaign
with 22 league goals and seven assists.
More than a decade later, Iheanacho has now matched
that eight-game scoring streak, although his record bid is coming in
Bursaspor’s current second-tier campaign.
The 29-year-old had previously set a personal best by
scoring in six consecutive matches before extending the run with a brace
against Manisa FK on September 7. He subsequently scored against Esenler
Erokspor and Batman Petrolspor to reach eight consecutive games.
Iheanacho now needs just one goal in his next league
appearance to surpass Fernandao’s mark and become the first Bursaspor player to
score in nine successive league matches.
His goals have also played a major role in Bursaspor’s
strong start to the season. Following Saturday’s victory, the club moved to the
top of the Turkish second division with 19 points from eight matches, having
recorded six wins and one draw.
Bursaspor currently hold a three-point advantage over
Kayserispor, who have played one match fewer.
Iheanacho joined the Turkish club as a free agent this
summer following his spell with Scottish side Celtic, where he helped the club
secure a league and cup double.
His impressive form in Turkey has also earned him a
recall to the Nigeria national team. The striker has been selected for the
Super Eagles’ friendly against Russia next month, marking his first
international call-up in more than a year.
His previous appearance for Nigeria came during the
2025 Unity Cup in London.
Iheanacho will now look to maintain his scoring form
ahead of the international break, while his next league appearance could give
him the opportunity to set a new Bursaspor record.
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