Iheanacho Unfazed by Absence from Eagles, Remains Passionate Playing for Nigeria

Marvelous David Kelechi Iheanacho, the Bursaspor forward, has expressed his unwavering commitment to representing Nigeria's football team, the Super Eagles, despite being absent from the squad for over 16 months. Speaking to NFF TV from Novgorod, Russia, Iheanacho, who won the Golden Ball at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup, emphasized his passion for the game and the national team.

He dismissed the notion that his return to the Super Eagles was due to external pressures or influences, stating that it was driven solely by his love for football and the dream of representing Nigeria, a dream he has pursued since his early years in the national team, from the U13 to U15, U17 levels, and beyond.

Iheanacho's return to the Super Eagles comes as he is selected by Coach Eric Chelle for an international friendly against Russia in Novgorod. Despite his recent stint at Celtic and Bursaspor, Iheanacho remains undeterred, asserting the quality of the Turkish league and dismissing criticisms that it is not a good league. He stated, "It’s a good league, to be fair.

I don’t know how people rate the league but it is a really good league, and it’s not easy as people think." Iheanacho, who has already scored 11 goals and provided two assists in nine appearances for Bursaspor since joining the Turkish club, looks forward to the upcoming match against Russia, expressing his joy and eagerness to participate in the game.