I’m always happy to play for Nigeria – Iheanacho

Kelechi Iheanacho, the Bursaspor striker, expressed his joy at returning to the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, for a friendly match against Russia. Iheanacho, who was recalled after a 16-month absence, stated that his decision was driven by genuine love for the game and his country, not by anyone else's influence. He revealed that he has been part of the Super Eagles since his youth, starting from the U-13 to U-17 levels and culminating in the Super Eagles.

The Manchester City Academy graduate, who won the Golden Ball at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup, made his senior debut in a World Cup qualifier against Swaziland in 2015. Iheanacho's return to the national team comes following a strong start to the 2026/27 season, where he scored 11 goals and provided two assists in nine appearances for Bursaspor.

While acknowledging the Turkish second-tier league's quality, he cautioned against the misconception that it is easy to play there. Iheanacho has previously played four games for the Super Eagles on Russian soil, scoring once and providing two assists in their 4-2 win over Argentina in November 2017. He emphasized his readiness to answer any call from the national team, expressing his eagerness to participate in the upcoming friendly against Russia.