Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho has been named the best player of the opening eight rounds of the Turkish TFF 1. Lig, capping a remarkable start to life at Bursaspor.

The honour came from beIN SPORTS during its 1. Lig programme, where moderator, Turgay Keskin and commentator, Tunç Kayacı picked the 29-year-old as the standout performer of the campaign so far.

The panel also chose Bursaspor as the best team of the period.

Iheanacho has scored 11 goals and provided two assists in eight league matches. He joined Bursaspor as a free agent on a three-year deal after his contract with Scottish champions, Celtic expired.

His form has helped Bursaspor to six wins, one draw and one defeat, giving them 19 points. They sit second in the table, behind leaders, Kayserispor on goal difference. Iheanacho was among the division’s top scorers from the early weeks of the season. He scored in each of his first six league appearances, including a brace in a 2-1 win at Manisa.

On August 29, he converted a penalty and set up the winner in another 2-1 victory, away at Kayserispor.

The performances have earned him a return to the national team. Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle included him in the 24-man squad for the friendly against Russia on October 6 in Nizhny Novgorod. It is his first call-up in 16 months, since Nigeria’s win over Jamaica in the Unity Cup final in London in May 2025.

The recall gives Iheanacho a chance to show that his club form can translate to the international stage. He was not part of the group Chelle named for the recent AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.