AFCON 2025
Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho continued his brilliant start to life in the Turkish 1st division as he found the back of the net for the third consecutive match.
Iheanacho scored his third goal in as many league matches for Bursaspor, but it was not enough to prevent the Turkish side suffering their first defeat of the season as Fatih Karagumruk won 2-1 at the Yusuf Ziya Onis Stadium on Friday.
Karagumruk made the early running and took the lead in the eighth minute when Tiago Cukur’s cross from the left found Aleksandar Pesic, who rose to head the ball past goalkeeper Kerem Matisli. The Istanbul side doubled their advantage just before the break through Daniele Verde, who capitalised on a mistake in the Bursaspor defence to slot home in the 44th minute and send the hosts in 2-0 up at half-time.
Bursaspor pushed for a way back into the contest in the second half, and Iheanacho gave them hope with four minutes remaining. The Nigerian forward found space inside the box and finished clinically to reduce the deficit, but the goal proved to be no more than a consolation as Karagumruk held on for the win.
The result ended Bursaspor’s perfect start to the Trendyol 1. Lig season, having opened their promotion campaign with back-to-back victories over Bodrum FK and Igdir FK. Iheanacho had scored in both of those matches, in addition to setting up a goal on his debut, and his strike against Karagumruk continued his run of finding the net in every league appearance since joining the club.
The 29-year-old has now scored three goals and provided an assist in three matches for Bursaspor since his free transfer from Celtic in the summer, quickly establishing himself as the club’s leading attacking threat as they target an immediate return to the Turkish top flight. Bursaspor remain on six points after three rounds, level with Karagumruk, who moved level with them in the standings courtesy of the win.
Bursaspor will look to bounce back next weekend when they travel to face Kayserispor, while Karagumruk host Istanbulspor in what will be another test of their own promotion ambitions. Iheanacho’s consistent scoring form is expected to keep him at the centre of Bursaspor’s attack as the club looks to respond to its first setback of the campaign.
