Kelechi Iheanacho's 12-game scoring streak comes to an end

Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho has seen his remarkable 12-consecutive-match scoring streak come to an end after failing to find the net in Bursaspor’s 3–0 victory over Bandırmaspor on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

The Super Eagles forward started and played the entire Turkish 1. Lig encounter but was unable to add to his impressive goal tally. Despite the end of his personal scoring run, Bursaspor produced a commanding performance at home, extending their winning streak and strengthening their position at the top of the league table.

Bursaspor secure comfortable victory

Bursaspor took control of the match early, scoring three times within the opening 23 minutes.

Halil Akbunar opened the scoring in the seventh minute after reacting quickly to a loose ball following a corner. His early goal gave the hosts the confidence to continue applying pressure against their visitors.

Lewis Baker then doubled the advantage in the 12th minute, capitalising on a defensive mistake to score from distance. The midfielder completed his brace in the 23rd minute with another powerful long-range effort that went in off the post.

The early three-goal advantage left Bandırmaspor with a difficult task. Although the visitors attempted to respond after the break, Bursaspor maintained control and protected their clean sheet.

Nigerian midfielder Tosin Kehinde featured for Bandırmaspor but endured a difficult afternoon. He received a yellow card in the second minute before being substituted shortly after the hour mark.

A record-breaking run comes to an end

Before Saturday’s match, Iheanacho had scored in 12 consecutive league appearances since joining Bursaspor as a free agent from Scottish club Celtic.

His run made history in Turkish football. On October 15, he scored against Muğlaspor to register his tenth consecutive league appearance with a goal, surpassing the previous mark jointly associated with Turkish football legends Metin Oktay and Saffet Sancaklı.

He subsequently found the net against Pendikspor on October 19 and Keçiörengücü on October 25, extending his record to 12 successive matches.

The streak was particularly impressive because it came during his first season with Bursaspor. His consistent finishing helped establish him as one of the leading attacking players in the Turkish second division.

Iheanacho remains among the league’s leading scorers

Although the streak has ended, the Nigerian forward still has an impressive season record.

He has scored 16 league goals and provided three assists in 13 appearances, maintaining his position among the competition’s most productive attacking players.

His contribution has been important to Bursaspor’s promotion ambitions. The club have now won four consecutive league matches and collected 31 points from their opening 13 fixtures, leaving them at the top of the table at the end of the weekend.

The victory over Bandırmaspor also demonstrated that Bursaspor can continue collecting important points even when their leading goalscorer does not find the net.

For Iheanacho, the immediate challenge will be returning to scoring form and maintaining the consistency that has defined his campaign.

Super Eagles opportunity remains in focus

Iheanacho’s performances in Turkey have also brought renewed attention to his prospects with the Nigerian national team.

The forward remains on the radar of Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle as Nigeria prepares for its upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Tanzania.

He has not featured in a competitive match for Nigeria since Chelle took charge, making his impressive club performances an important part of his case for a return.

His goalscoring form has given the national team another attacking option to consider, particularly as Nigeria looks to maintain competition for places in the forward line.

However, whether he earns a call-up will depend on the coach’s selection decisions and the squad announced for the upcoming fixtures.

Next opportunity against Antalyaspor

Iheanacho will have an opportunity to begin another scoring run when Bursaspor travel to face Antalyaspor on November 6.

The striker will hope to carry his confidence from the previous 12-game sequence into the next fixture, while helping his team maintain its position in the promotion race.

Although the end of his streak is a setback to an extraordinary individual achievement, his overall contribution remains significant.

Bursaspor have a strong reason to be encouraged: their leading striker remains productive, their winning run continues and they are still top of the table. For Iheanacho, the focus now shifts from protecting a record to scoring again.