Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has been named the best player of the opening eight rounds of the Turkish 1. Lig by beIN SPORTS following his impressive start to life at Bursaspor.
Iheanacho was selected as the standout player during the beIN 1. Lig programme, with moderator Turgay Keskin and commentator Tunç Kayacı also naming Bursaspor the best team of the opening eight rounds.
The 29-year-old forward has scored 11 goals and provided two assists in eight league appearances since joining Bursaspor as a free agent this summer.
He has found the net in every league game so far, establishing an eight-match scoring run and quickly becoming one of the most important players in Bursaspor’s attack.
Iheanacho’s latest goals came in Bursaspor’s 2-1 comeback victory over Batman Petrolspor on September 19. After the hosts took the lead, the Nigerian equalised from the penalty spot in the 60th minute before scoring the winner in the 85th minute.
The brace took his league tally to 11 goals and helped Bursaspor move to 19 points after eight matches. His eight-game scoring streak also matched a club record previously set by Brazilian striker Fernandao during the 2014/15 season.
Iheanacho earns Super Eagles recall
The striker’s form has also earned him a return to the Nigeria national team.
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle included Iheanacho in the squad for Nigeria’s October 6 friendly against Russia, giving the forward an opportunity to continue his impressive run at international level.
Iheanacho joined Bursaspor after leaving Scottish club Celtic, where he won the league and cup double last season.
Before his move to Scotland, he had spells with Leicester City, Sevilla and Middlesbrough after beginning his senior European career at Manchester City.
His start in Turkey has now made him a central figure in Bursaspor’s campaign, with his goals helping the club make a strong push near the top of the second-tier standings.
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For Iheanacho, the recognition from beIN SPORTS adds another milestone to an impressive opening spell in Turkish football.