Soccer
Paul Onuachu during theTrendyol Turkish Super League match between Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor at Chobani Stadium. Copyright: ImagoxSeskimphoto
Former Turkish midfielder Abdullah Ercan has asserted that Victor Osimhen is as important to Galatasaray as Paul Onuachu is to Trabzonspor, Soccernet.ng reports.
Onuachu is having a season to remember at Trabzonspor, proving himself to be among the elite of the elite. He currently leads the Turkish scoring charts with 22 goals and two assists in 25 league appearances.
As a testament to his clinical form, Onuachu sits four goals clear of second-placed Eldor Shomurodov and is responsible for approximately 40 percent of Trabzonspor’s total goals.
Just a few weeks ago, he set a new record for the most consecutive goals scored by a Trabzonspor player in the Süper Lig.
While Onuachu has been on a dominant run in recent weeks, news broke last week that he had sustained a minor injury, forcing him to miss Trabzonspor’s clash against Alanyaspor on Saturday.
The match ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw. Ozan Tufan gave the Black Sea Storm the lead in the 58th minute, but Guven Yalcin later netted an equalizer for Alanyaspor.
This result dealt a significant blow to Trabzonspor’s title aspirations; they now sit in third place, three points behind leaders Galatasaray—who have a game in hand—and two points adrift of Fenerbahçe.
Soccer Former Turkish Wing Wizard Credits Draw to Paul Onuachu’s Absence
Trabzonspor’s stalemate against Alanyaspor marked the first time they dropped points since a 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahçe on February 14. Prior to Saturday, they were on a seven-game winning streak—a run in which Onuachu featured prominently.
The big Nigerian’s presence was sorely missed on Saturday, with many fans and pundits suggesting his fitness could have secured a win.
Former Turkish winger Abdullah Ercan shares this sentiment, believing Onuachu is the undisputed talisman for the Black Sea Storm, much like his compatriot Victor Osimhen is for Galatasaray.
”Whatever Victor Osimhen means to Galatasaray, Paul Onuachu means exactly the same to Trabzonspor,” Ercan said.
While Onuachu’s specific return date remains unconfirmed, he is expected to be back in action before the end of the campaign. Without their Super Eagles star, the Black Sea Storm will undoubtedly face an uphill battle in challenging Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe for the Süper Lig crown.
Kelvin Omachonu
Kelvin Omachonu is a professional football columnist and sports writer with over half a decade of experience covering major events and delivering captivating, analytically-driven stories.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan, he is fueled by a profound dedication to sports journalism and the beautiful game. His insights have previously been featured in respected outlets, including IndyPress UI, UCJ UI Newshive NG, Sportpremi, and a few others.
Away from work, Kelvin is an avid fan of basketball, enjoys a great movie, and is always discovering new music.
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