Kelechi Iheanacho has insisted that he is committed to the Super Eagles following his recall to the three-time African champions for a friendly against Russia.
Before his inclusion in the squad for Tuesday's friendly, the Manchester City academy graduate had been in the international wilderness for more than sixteen months, with his last appearance for the Super Eagles coming in the 2025 Unity Cup final against Jamaica on May 31, 2025.
The experienced forward has been involved with the national team setup from a young age, progressing through the junior sides before making his senior debut in a World Cup qualifier against Swaziland in 2015.
Iheanacho, who won the Golden Ball at the 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup, has made it clear that he does not need anyone to motivate him to represent Nigeria.
"I have been in the Super Eagles, even in the national team in general, for a long time, starting from the U13 to U15 to U17 and all the rest of them, the Super Eagles," Iheanacho said in an interview with the Super Eagles media team.
"So I have been very long here and I am not coming to the national team because of anybody or anything. It's because of the love and passion I have for the game.
"It's the dream of everyone to play for the Super Eagles as long as you're Nigerian. I have been living that dream for a long time to play in the national team from a junior level up to here.
"Even if it's 5-a-side Eagles are playing or I'm invited to the U15s, I'll play because of my passion.
"I don't care what anybody says. As long as the coach gave me a call-up, I will play, so it's a thing of joy and I am loving it.
"I'm really happy to be here and I will enjoy it with the boys and hopefully we will have a very lovely outing on Tuesday."
Iheanacho has been recalled to the Super Eagles following a blistering start to the 2026-27 season, having registered an impressive 11 goals and two assists in nine appearances for Bursaspor, whom he joined as a free agent in the summer after his contract with Celtic expired.
Other Nigerian players on the books of Turkish First League clubs include Francis Ezeh (Ankara Keciörengücü), Tosin Kehinde (Bandirma Spor), Emeka Eze (Sariyer), Tenton Yenne (Van Spor FK), Toheeb Adeola Kosoko (Ümraniyespor), Olarenwaju Kayode (Mardin 1969 Spor), David Chisom Otugo (Ümraniyespor), Deco (Boluspor) and Michael Ologo (Istanbulspor).
Speaking about his experience playing in the Turkish second tier, Iheanacho rejected the perception that the league is an easy one.
"Wherever you go to, you have to play the same football that you play everywhere. Some of us are in Turkey and there are a lot of Nigerians in the division I play.
"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.
"When you play there, you'll know whether it's easy or not. Obviously, my teammates will testify to that as well. I'm enjoying it and I know they are enjoying it as well.
"You can say it favours Nigerians but it's a really good league."
Iheanacho has played four games for the Super Eagles on Russian soil and his standout performance came in November 2017 when he scored once and produced two assists in Nigeria's 4-2 win over Argentina.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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