Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho says he will always be available to represent Nigeria as he prepares to feature for the national team again after more than a year away.

The 30 year old has been recalled for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

He told NFF TV that playing for the Super Eagles is the dream of every Nigerian footballer and that nothing has dimmed his passion for the shirt.

He said he would turn out even for a five a side game or an Under 15 fixture if invited, because representing the country means that much to him.

Iheanacho has been part of Nigeria’s national set up since his days in the Under 12 and Under 13 teams, rising through the Under 15 and Under 17 levels before reaching the senior side. He won the Golden Ball at the 2013 FIFA Under 17 World Cup and made his senior debut in a World Cup qualifier against Swaziland in 2015.

His last appearance for Nigeria came in the 2025 Unity Cup final against Jamaica on May 31, 2025. He has since been left out of the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the squads named for the 2027 qualifiers.

The recall follows a fine start to the season at Bursaspor in Turkey, where he moved as a free agent in the summer after his contract with Celtic expired.

Iheanacho has scored 11 goals and provided two assists so far and is the league’s current top scorer, form that earned him the call from head coach Eric Chelle.

The friendly gives Chelle a chance to take stock after a mixed start to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, in which the Super Eagles beat Madagascar by two goals to one in Uyo before losing by three goals to nil to Guinea Bissau. Nigeria arrived in Russia on Friday, with Iheanacho among the early arrivals in camp.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi is among those ruled out through injury.