Iheanacho sets Bursaspor record with goal in ninth straight league game

Kelechi Iheanacho set a new Bursaspor record on Sunday, 11 October 2026, scoring in a ninth consecutive league match, but his 81st-minute equaliser could not stop Mardin 1969 Spor winning 2-1 in Bursa with a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time, according to Hürriyet and Complete Sports.

The Super Eagles striker now has 12 goals in nine games in the Trendyol 1. Lig, Turkey’s second tier, since joining Bursaspor on a free transfer from Celtic in the summer, the Turkish outlet Nefes and Complete Sports reported.

For Nigerian fans, the run is a welcome sign. Iheanacho was recalled for this month’s friendly against Russia, his first call-up in more than a year, Premium Times reported, and he scored in the 3-3 draw in Nizhny Novgorod, according to Complete Sports and AllNigeriaSoccer. That gives head coach Eric Chelle a striker in form to consider for his next squad.

How did the record fall?

Iheanacho equalled the club record last month when he scored twice in a 2-1 away win over Batman Petrolspor, taking him to eight league games in a row with a goal, Premium Times reported on 20 September.

The previous record belonged to the Brazilian striker Fernandão, who scored in eight successive Süper Lig matches between rounds 12 and 19 of the 2014/15 season, according to Premium Times and Soccernet. Premium Times noted then that one more goal would make Iheanacho the first player in the club’s history to score in nine consecutive league matches.

He got it on Sunday with a strike from outside the penalty area, Complete Sports reported, describing the run as having equalled and then surpassed Fernandão’s record.

How did Bursaspor lose?

Tonio Teklic put Mardin ahead in the 21st minute and the visitors led at half-time, Nefes reported. Iheanacho levelled in the 81st minute before Zdravko Dimitrov scored the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time, according to Hürriyet and A Spor.

Bursaspor head coach Mustafa Er was shown a red card in the 87th minute, both outlets reported, and Mardin’s Baba Alhassan was sent off in the seventh minute of stoppage time, Nefes said.

The defeat ended an unbeaten run at home for Bursaspor that had lasted one year and 13 days, Nefes reported.

Where does it leave Bursaspor?

Bursaspor stayed on 19 points after nine games, three behind the leaders, Kayserispor, Complete Sports reported. Mardin moved up to 15 points in their first match under their new coach, Ivaylo Petev, according to Nefes.

Iheanacho has been involved in 14 of Bursaspor’s 17 league goals this season, with 12 goals and two assists, Complete Sports reported.

Why did he choose Bursaspor?

Iheanacho, who won the Golden Ball at the 2013 Fifa Under-17 World Cup, according to AllNigeriaSoccer, joined Bursaspor after helping Celtic win the Scottish league and cup double, Complete Sports and Premium Times reported.

In his first interview with the club’s media after signing, he said he was drawn by Bursaspor’s plan to climb up to the Süper Lig and play in Europe. “My target is for us to go to the Super Lig,” he said, Flashscore reported.

What happens next

Bursaspor travel to Muğlaspor on Thursday, 15 October, Complete Sports reported, when Iheanacho will try to stretch his streak to ten league games. Mardin host Fatih Karagümrük in their next match, according to Nefes.