Iheanacho Makes Turkish Football History With 11-Match Scoring Streak as Bursaspor Beat Pendikspor 2-0

Published on 20 October 2026 at 08:16

Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho has extended his remarkable goalscoring run to 11 consecutive league matches after finding the net in Bursaspor's 2-0 victory over Pendikspor, setting a new benchmark in Turkish professional football.

The Nigerian international scored in the 62nd minute of Monday's encounter at the Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matlı Stadium in Bursa, taking his tally to 15 league goals in 11 appearances during the 2026–27 campaign.

His latest strike helped Bursaspor secure an important victory in Turkey's second-tier TFF 1. Lig, strengthening their position in the promotion race and extending a scoring sequence that has attracted attention across Turkish football.

Bursaspor took the lead in the 10th minute through Halil Akbunar, who gave the home side an early advantage against Pendikspor.

The hosts maintained their narrow lead until the second half, when Iheanacho doubled the advantage with a header in the 62nd minute.

The former Manchester City and Leicester City forward connected with a delivery from Lincoln inside the penalty area, directing his effort into the net to give Bursaspor a two-goal cushion.

Pendikspor were unable to respond, allowing Mustafa Er's side to claim all three points and maintain their challenge near the top of the league standings.

The victory took Bursaspor to 25 points after 11 matches, placing them second in the table, one point behind leaders Kayserispor. Pendikspor, meanwhile, remained on 10 points.

For Iheanacho, the match represented another milestone in a remarkable start to life in Turkish football.

The 30-year-old had already established a Bursaspor club record by scoring in nine consecutive league matches, surpassing the previous eight-match sequence achieved by Brazilian striker Fernandao during the 2014–15 season.

He subsequently extended the streak to 10 matches, exceeding the nine-game scoring sequences previously recorded by two prominent figures in Turkish football.

Galatasaray legend Metin Oktay achieved a nine-match run during the 1962–63 season, while former Turkey international Saffet Sancaklı matched that sequence while playing for Kocaelispor in the 1995–96 campaign.

Iheanacho moved beyond those marks when he scored twice in Bursaspor's 3-0 victory over Muğlaspor on October 15.

His performance in that fixture also included an assist, demonstrating his contribution to the team's attacking play beyond goalscoring.

Four days later, the Nigerian maintained his consistency by finding the net against Pendikspor, extending the sequence to 11 successive league appearances.

The achievement has been reported as the longest consecutive-match scoring streak in Turkish professional league football.

Iheanacho's performances have also made him one of the leading scorers in the TFF 1. Lig this season, with 15 goals in his opening 11 league appearances.

Turkish reports have additionally credited him with four assists during the same period, highlighting his involvement in Bursaspor's attacking output.

His form represents a significant development in a career that has taken him through several European clubs.

Iheanacho began his senior European career with Manchester City before moving to Leicester City in 2017.

At Leicester, he contributed to the club's attacking options over several seasons and was part of the squad that won the FA Cup in 2021.

He subsequently joined Sevilla in Spain before moving to Celtic in Scotland, where his time was affected by injuries and competition for places.

His departure from Celtic preceded his move to Bursaspor, where he has quickly established himself as an important figure in the team's pursuit of promotion to the Turkish Süper Lig.

Before the Pendikspor encounter, Bursaspor manager Mustafa Er praised the Nigerian's achievement and expressed hope that the scoring sequence would continue.

Er described the record as difficult to achieve and highlighted the work Iheanacho had undertaken to maintain his performances.

The manager also stressed that the forward's success should not be viewed in isolation, pointing to the contributions of teammates and the club's management in supporting his progress.

His assessment reflected Bursaspor's collective approach as the club attempts to secure a return to Turkey's top division.

Although Iheanacho's scoring streak has become a prominent feature of the team's campaign, the latest victory also demonstrated the importance of contributions from other players, including Akbunar, whose opening goal established the advantage against Pendikspor.

Bursaspor will now turn their attention to their next league fixture against Ankara Keçiörengücü on Sunday, October 25.

The match will provide Iheanacho with an opportunity to extend his scoring sequence to 12 consecutive league appearances while helping his side maintain pressure on the teams competing for promotion.

For Nigerian football, his performances offer another example of a Super Eagles player making an impact in European club football.

With 15 goals in 11 league matches, Iheanacho has established an impressive early-season record, while his continued consistency remains central to Bursaspor's ambitions.

His latest achievement has already secured him a place in the Turkish league's scoring records, but the striker's immediate challenge will be to maintain that form as the season progresses.

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