Mustafa Er says Kelechi Iheanacho came off in the 69th minute as a precaution after scoring his side’s third goal in Sunday’s 4-2 win over Keçiörengücü.
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Bursaspor head coach Mustafa Er has played down fears over Kelechi Iheanacho’s fitness after the Nigerian striker was forced off in Sunday’s 4-2 win over Keçiörengücü. Iheanacho had scored the third goal in the 50th minute, extending his run to 12 consecutive league games with a goal.
The 30 year old received treatment from the medical team before leaving the pitch in the 69th minute. His departure sparked concern among fans of the Turkish 1. Lig leaders.
Er said it was only a precaution. “Kelechi has a little problem. We did not want to push too hard,” he told Turkish outlet Bursahakimiyet.
The coach added that the player wanted to continue, but the club did not want to take a risk with the score already at 4-2. Fans following Nigerian players abroad can also check the latest Bet9ja code before the next round of fixtures.
Iheanacho’s Goal Lifts Bursaspor
Iheanacho picked up the ball on the edge of the box, dribbled into space and fired home to make it 3-2. The goal took his tally to 16 goals and three assists in 12 appearances this season.
Bursaspor went on to win 4-2. Lewis Baker and Brazilian midfielder Lincoln also scored, with assists in the mix, before Lincoln was sent off in the 84th minute for two quick yellow cards.
It was Bursaspor’s third win in a row and fourth in five games. The victory lifts them to the top of the 1. Lig table on 28 points from 12 matches, above Kayserispor.
Is this the form of a promotion side? The Green Crocodiles certainly look like one, with a scoring striker and a growing run of wins. Readers following the Turkish league can find the Bet9ja bonus details before the weekend.
Super Eagles Watching Closely
The injury scare also matters to Nigeria. Iheanacho is expected to make the Super Eagles squad for next month’s double header against Tanzania in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The former Manchester City and Leicester forward returned to the national team in the friendly against Russia, which ended 3-3. Eric Chelle’s side will need all their attacking options for the Tanzania games.
Bursaspor host Bandirmaspor on Saturday, and Er is confident Iheanacho will be available. That is a relief for club and country alike.
Could this be the start of a bigger run for the striker? A fit Iheanacho scoring regularly is exactly what Chelle would hope to see. Anyone planning a bet on Saturday’s game can check today’s Bet9ja promo code first.
For now, the signs are positive. Er has played down the knock, and Iheanacho has been scoring at a remarkable rate.
Bursaspor fans and Super Eagles supporters will both hope the news stays good. Saturday’s game against Bandirmaspor should show how serious the knock really was.
📌 Did You Know?
- Iheanacho joined Bursaspor from Celtic at the start of the 2026/27 season.
- He scored eight goals in his first six league games for the club.
- On September 7, he scored both goals in a 2-1 win at Manisa FK, including a winner in the 92nd minute.
- Bursaspor won the Turkish Süper Lig title in 2009/10.
- The club reached the 1. Lig by winning the TFF 2. Lig Red Group, and all 39,000 of their season tickets sold out.
- Nigeria host Tanzania on November 11 and travel for the return leg on November 15.
- Tanzania are 2027 AFCON co-hosts and already have a place, so only the top non-host side in Group L will qualify, which raises the stakes after Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau.


