Bursaspor coach backs Iheanacho after scoring streak ends

Bursaspor manager Mustafa Er has defended Kelechi Iheanacho after the striker’s record scoring run ended in the club’s 3-0 win over Tosin Kehinde’s Bandırmaspor in the 13th week of the Trendyol 1. Lig.

Iheanacho failed to score on Saturday for the first time this season for club or country, but Er insisted his value goes beyond goals.

“He has made a tremendous contribution so far. He did not score today (Saturday); that is okay. For us, the score is more important than who scores,” Er was quoted as saying by Vatan.

The 30-year-old had scored in 12 consecutive league games since joining Bursaspor as a free agent from Celtic. He is the first player in Turkish football history to do so.

His goal against Muğlaspor on October 15 was his 10th in a row and broke the record shared by Galatasaray legends Metin Oktay and Saffet Sancaklı. He then scored against Pendikspor on October 19 and Ankara Keçiörengücü on October 25 to reach 12.

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He ended the run with 16 goals and three assists.

Closely marked by the visitors’ defenders against Bandırmaspor, Iheanacho was kept quiet, while Halil Akbunar and a brace from Lewis Baker sealed the win. Bursaspor have now won four games in a row and top the table.

The 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner also scored for the Super Eagles in the 3-3 draw with Russia at the Sovcombank Arena on October 6. He remains on the radar of coach Eric Chelle for next month’s AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania.

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