Iheanacho: ‘If Na U-13 or U-15, I Go Play’ — Forward Opens Up on Super Eagles Return

Kelechi Iheanacho has offered a passionate explanation for his return to the Super Eagles, declaring that he would represent Nigeria regardless of the level or importance of the assignment.

Speaking to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) media ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia in Nizhny Novgorod, Iheanacho said his commitment to the national team goes beyond competitive fixtures, major tournaments or individual considerations.

The Bursaspor forward recalled his long journey through Nigeria’s youth national teams before progressing to the Super Eagles, stressing that wearing the national colours remains a privilege he does not take for granted.

“I have been in the Super Eagles, even in the national team in general, for a long, long time,” Iheanacho said.

“Starting from the Under-12 and Under-13, Under-15, Under-17 and all the rest of them to the Super Eagles, I’ve been here for a very long time.”

Iheanacho said his decision to honour a national team invitation has never been dependent on the profile of the competition.

His message was emphatic: if he is called, he will come.

“If na Under-15 or Under-13 dem invite me, I go play. Anything where anybody wan talk, as long as the coach give me call-up say make I come play, I go come play,” he said.

The 30-year-old added that his motivation is rooted in his love for football and the pride that comes with representing Nigeria.

“I’m not coming to the national team because of anybody or because of anything. It’s because of the love I have for the game and the passion,” he said.

“For every Nigerian, it is the dream to play for the Super Eagles as long as you are a Nigerian. I’ve been living that dream for a long time.”

Iheanacho returns amid depleted Super Eagles squad

Iheanacho’s comments come as Nigeria prepare for a Russia friendly that has attracted less attention than the Super Eagles’ recent 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

The Russia fixture was always expected to provide Éric Chelle with an opportunity to assess a wider pool of players, rather than the core squad deployed in the competitive AFCON qualifiers.

The difference has become even more pronounced following a series of withdrawals caused by injuries, club restrictions and other availability issues.

Several players who featured prominently in Nigeria’s competitive plans have therefore been left out of the trip, leaving Chelle with a considerably weakened squad.

While some have consequently viewed the Russia encounter as a low-priority fixture, Iheanacho’s return offers the coach an experienced option in attack and gives the striker another opportunity to strengthen his case for a more prominent role.

The Super Eagles’ competitive priority remains the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, where Nigeria began with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar before suffering a damaging 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau.

The Russia game, however, gives Chelle an opportunity to look beyond the established first-choice group and assess players who could become important options as the qualifying campaign progresses.

Iheanacho defends Bursaspor move

The striker also spoke about his decision to continue his career in Turkey with Bursaspor, insisting that the quality of football should not be judged simply by the division in which a player competes.

Iheanacho joined Bursaspor after leaving Celtic and has quickly made an impression with his performances in Turkey.

“Football is the same all over the world, wherever you go to,” he said.

“It’s just like you have to play the same football that you play everywhere.”

He also pushed back against perceptions that football in Turkey’s second tier is easy.

“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 people think.”

The Bursaspor forward believes his Nigerian teammates and others playing in the competition can testify to its demands.

His message ahead of the Russia encounter is equally clear: whether the stage is the Super Eagles, a lower age-grade national team or a major competitive fixture, the desire to represent Nigeria remains unchanged