Bursaspor coach hails Iheanacho impact

Kelechi Iheanacho. Photo: X/@67Kelechi

Bursaspor coach Mustafa Er says the club is getting the desired return from Kelechi Iheanacho after working hard to secure the Nigerian striker’s signature amid interest from several clubs, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Er said the stature of the Turkish club played an important role in convincing Iheanacho to join, adding that the forward’s goalscoring form was what Bursaspor had hoped for when they signed him.

“We transferred Iheanacho so that he would score goals. We worked very hard for that transfer. We also need to thank our management,” Er told reporters at the Özlüce İbrahim Yazıcı Facilities on Friday.

“There was a lot of demand for him. The size of the club was also very important in his choosing us. We are getting the contribution we want.”

The coach also praised the team’s growing spirit and productivity, expressing hope that Iheanacho would continue his scoring run.

“Iheanacho continues to score. I hope he scores this week too. We have a positive team,” Er said.

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“There is tremendous progress in team spirit. Productivity is also increasing. People are more productive when they are happy. We win as a team.”

Iheanacho has been in impressive form in Turkey’s second tier, scoring 11 goals in eight consecutive matches and providing two assists for Bursaspor.

The 29-year-old joined the Turkish side as a free agent in the summer of 2026 after contract negotiations with Scottish Premiership champions Celtic broke down in July.

He had scored nine goals in 24 appearances across all competitions for Celtic last season, helping the club win a domestic double after joining them in September 2025.

Bursaspor beat competition from several clubs, including Celtic, to land the Nigeria international, who had turned down the Scottish side’s offer before opting for a move to Turkey.

Iheanacho has also carried his goalscoring form onto the international stage, opening the scoring in the 10th minute of Nigeria’s 3-3 draw with Russia on October 6.

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