Kelechi Iheanacho ready for Super Eagles return despite lengthy absence

Kelechi Iheanacho says his commitment to the Super Eagles has not changed as he prepares to make his international comeback against Russia on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old has been recalled after more than a year away from Nigeria’s senior team and said representing his country remained a source of pride, regardless of the opposition or level of the match.

“I have been in the Super Eagles in general for a long time, starting from the U-12, U-13 to U-15, U-17 to Super Eagles so I have been very long here,” Iheanacho said in an interview from the team’s camp.

“I’m not coming to the national team because of anybody but because of the love I have for the game and the passion. It’s the dream of everyone to play in the Super Eagles as long as you are Nigerian and I’ve been living that dream for a long time to play in the national team from the junior level up to here.”

Iheanacho said he would accept the opportunity to play for Nigeria at any level, highlighting the importance of the national team to him.

“Even if it’s five-a-side or U-15 the Eagles are playing and I’m invited I will play, it doesn’t matter because it’s my passion,” he added.

“So it’s a thing of joy and I’m very happy to be here and hopefully we will have lovely outing on Tuesday.”

Iheanacho explains Bursaspor move

The forward joined Turkish second division club Bursaspor after helping Celtic secure a league and Cup double last season during a loan spell from Sevilla.

The move surprised some supporters, but Iheanacho said he had no regrets and insisted the level of competition in Turkey was being underestimated.

“As a player you have reasons why you go to any club that you go to in Turkey,” he said. “For me football is the same all over the world wherever you go to and you have to play football just like you play everywhere.”

Iheanacho also pointed to the presence of several Nigerian players in the division and said he had settled well at Bursaspor.

“Some of us are in Turkey and the division I play there are lots of Nigerians there but it’s a good league to be fair, I don’t know how people rate the league but it’s a really good league and it’s not easy as we think,” he said.

“I’m enjoying it and they are enjoying it as well and you can say it favours Nigerians but it’s a good league.”

Goals earn international recall

Iheanacho’s form has been a major factor behind his return to the Nigeria squad. He has scored 11 goals and supplied two assists in eight games for Bursaspor and is currently the leading scorer in the league.

Those performances persuaded Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to include him in the squad for Tuesday’s friendly against Russia.