Iheanacho targets Bursaspor legendary status after record-breaking start in Turkey

Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates his goal

Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has set his sights on becoming a Bursaspor legend, with the Nigerian forward determined to help the Turkish club secure promotion to the Süper Lig.

Iheanacho has enjoyed a remarkable start to life in Turkey, scoring 16 goals in his first 12 league appearances for Bursaspor, who currently lead the TFF First League table. The 30-year-old has found the net in every league match he has featured in and has become the first player in Turkish league history to score in 12 consecutive appearances.

The former Celtic forward joined Bursaspor as a free agent during the summer, but even he admits his early impact has surpassed his expectations.

Speaking to the club’s media team, Iheanacho described the TFF First League as a competitive division filled with quality players, while expressing his desire to maintain his impressive form as the campaign progresses.

“The First League is a really good and tough league. Incredible players are playing there. I didn’t expect to start this well. I want to show more of these performances as the season progresses,” he said.

Despite his outstanding individual numbers, Iheanacho insists that securing the league title and earning promotion to Turkey’s top flight remain his biggest priorities.

“At the end of the day, we aim to become champions and get promoted to the Süper Lig. We want to do this, and we are playing for it,” the striker added.

Beyond the immediate target of promotion, the former Leicester City and Manchester City forward also hopes to leave a lasting legacy at the club, admitting that becoming one of Bursaspor’s greats would mean a lot to him and his family.

“Becoming a legend of a great club like Bursaspor would be a great honour for me and my family. I hope something like that happens,” he said.

Iheanacho has already secured his place in Turkish football history. His goal against Muğlaspor on 15th October extended his scoring streak to 10 consecutive league matches, taking him past the previous record jointly held by Galatasaray legends Metin Oktay and Saffet Sancaklı.

He subsequently stretched that remarkable run in Bursaspor’s 4-2 victory over Keçiörengücü, a result that sent the club to the top of the standings with 28 points from 12 matches.

Bursaspor will welcome Bandırmaspor to the Centennial Atatürk Stadium on Saturday (today), with Iheanacho expected to lead the attack as the club looks to maintain its position at the summit.

The Nigerian striker will also be eager to extend his extraordinary scoring streak as he continues his pursuit of a historic season in Turkey.