Football: Iheanacho’s 12-match scoring run ends
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Kelechi Iheanacho’s scoring run ended after 12 consecutive matches with Bursaspor, despite the 3-0 victory over Bandırmaspor in the Turkish second division. The Nigerian forward remains in contention for the next Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, reports Punch, which also looks at other Nigerian forwards’ scoring runs.
Kelechi Iheanacho did not score in Bursaspor’s 3-0 victory over Bandırmaspor on Saturday, ending a run of 12 consecutive matches with a goal in the Turkish second division. The Nigerian forward had scored 16 goals and provided three assists during the run, according to Punch.
Iheanacho had become the first player in the history of Turkish football to score in 12 consecutive league matches. His goal against Muğlaspor on 15 October took his run to 10 matches and allowed him to equal and then surpass the record held by Metin Oktay and Saffet Sancaklı; he subsequently scored against Pendikspor on 19 October and Keçiörengücü on 25 October, according to Punch.
Bursaspor have won their last four matches and ended the week at the top of the table. Iheanacho remains under observation by Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Tanzania.
Other Nigerian forwards have enjoyed significant scoring runs at club level. Paul Onuachu scored in 10 consecutive matches for Trabzonspor in 2026, scoring 12 goals, while Victor Osimhen found the net in eight consecutive matches for Napoli in 2022-2023 and in eight consecutive European matches for Galatasaray in 2025, according to Punch.
