There was a time this year when it was difficult to see where Kelechi Iheanacho’s next chapter would take him. After helping Celtic win the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup, the Nigerian forward left Scotland in the summer and made the unexpected decision to continue his career in Turkey’s second division with Bursaspor.
What looked like a surprising step down has instead turned into one of the most productive spells of Iheanacho’s recent career, and it is beginning to raise an intriguing question for Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle.
Iheanacho scored twice on Monday night to complete Bursaspor’s dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Manisa, with his late winner sending his teammates rushing from the substitutes’ bench onto the pitch to celebrate.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s stunning start at Bursaspor has reignited the Super Eagles debate, with eight goals in six matches.
The brace took his league tally to eight goals and two assists in six appearances, and he has now scored against every opponent Bursaspor have faced in the league this season.
A player who has spent the past few seasons searching for consistency and regular football, the transformation has been striking.
A surprising move after a trophy-winning season
Iheanacho’s decision to leave Celtic was difficult to predict because his short spell in Scotland had ended on a positive note.
The 29-year-old arrived at Celtic after a difficult period in Spain and used the 2025/26 campaign to rebuild some of the momentum that had disappeared from his career.
He scored nine goals in 24 appearances across all competitions and made several important contributions towards the end of the season, including a stoppage-time penalty against Motherwell that helped Celtic keep their title challenge alive.
Celtic eventually secured the Scottish Premiership before Iheanacho made another decisive contribution in the Scottish Cup final, scoring the third goal in a 3-1 victory over Dunfermline Athletic as Brendan Rodgers’ side completed the domestic double.
From Manchester City to Leicester City, Watford, Gençlerbirliği, Celtic and now Bursaspor, Kelechi Iheanacho’s career has taken the Super Eagles striker across England, Scotland and Turkey. PhotoCredit: Imago
Yet instead of remaining in Scotland or returning to one of Europe’s major leagues, Iheanacho chose Bursaspor, signing a three-year contract with a club competing in Turkey’s second tier.
It was an unusual career move for a player who had previously played for Manchester City, Leicester City and Sevilla, but the decision has so far given him something that has often been missing in recent years: regular football and responsibility.
Turkey has brought the confidence back
Iheanacho has found the net in all six of his league appearances for Bursaspor, and his latest performance against Manisa demonstrated just how influential he has become.
After Manisa took the lead, Iheanacho brought Bursaspor level before scoring the decisive goal late in the match to complete the comeback.
His eight goals already make him one of the most productive players in the Turkish second tier, while his two assists underline that his contribution has extended beyond simply finishing chances.
The level of the competition should naturally be considered when assessing his form, but the consistency of the performances is difficult to overlook.
Iheanacho is playing regularly, starting matches and taking responsibility for producing decisive moments, rather than waiting for opportunities from the bench.
Super eagles Kelechi Iheanacho. Photocredit: NFF/X
Iheanacho’s resurgence would be interesting even without the Super Eagles factor, but the timing makes it particularly relevant to Chelle.
Nigeria’s attacking options have come under fresh scrutiny after Victor Osimhen suffered a groin injury during Galatasaray’s victory over Istanbul Basaksehir, while Paul Onuachu was also forced off after scoring twice for Trabzonspor against Gençlerbirligi.
Onuachu’s injury situation subsequently appeared less serious than initially feared, but the concerns surrounding both strikers have nevertheless highlighted the importance of Nigeria having sufficient depth in attack.
The Super Eagles are preparing for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau standing between Nigeria and a strong start in Group L.
Nigeria will then face Russia in an international friendly in October, giving Chelle another opportunity to assess his attacking options and that is where Iheanacho’s current form becomes difficult to ignore.
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This would not be a case of a coach suddenly discovering an unknown striker because of a hot scoring streak.
Chelle has already worked with Iheanacho at international level and selected him for Nigeria’s Unity Cup campaign in 2025, when he featured against Ghana and Jamaica.
The coach therefore knows what Iheanacho can offer: a forward capable of playing as a central striker, dropping deeper to combine with teammates and creating opportunities as well as finishing them.
The issue has always been whether Iheanacho could rediscover the consistency required to make that talent relevant at international level. his start at Bursaspor suggests he may finally be doing exactly that.
With Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu injured, Eric Chelle has a decision to make.
Is a Super Eagles recall now justified?
There is still a legitimate argument against rushing Iheanacho back into the national team simply because he has scored eight goals in Turkey’s second division.
International football is a different level, and Chelle will ultimately have to judge the quality of his performances alongside the tactical requirements of the Super Eagles.
But a recall would no longer be based on reputation or memories of the player who once scored regularly in the Premier League. It would be based on what Iheanacho is doing right now.
At Bursaspor, he has found regular starts, responsibility and, most importantly, the confidence that comes with consistently deciding matches.
His move to Turkey was initially viewed as one of the more unexpected turns in a career that has already taken him from Manchester City to Leicester, Sevilla and Celtic. Instead, it may prove to have been the move that revived him.
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So, with Onuachu’s fitness uncertain, Osimhen dealing with an injury scare and Nigeria’s AFCON qualifying campaign approaching, Iheanacho has given Eric Chelle a question he may soon have to answer: has the “Senior Man” done enough to earn his way back?
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