Soccer
Henry Onyekuru, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho of Nigeria during the Nigerian national men (Photo credit: Imago)
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been the subject of significant discussion in the build-up to Galatasaray’s Super Lig game against Genclerbirligi this weekend, Soccernet.ng reports.
However, another Super Eagles star, Henry Onyekuru, has also dominated the headlines in Turkey ahead of the fixture. The former Galatasaray man joined Genclerbirligi on a free transfer last summer, but he has performed well below expectations. Onyekuru has managed only one yellow card in 19 appearances across all competitions, with neither a goal nor an assist to his name this season.
Amid his struggles at the club, there have also been rumors of clashes with management due to wage issues. Earlier in the season, reports even suggested that he and several teammates refused to train because they were owed salaries.
Following these issues, Genclerbirligi has taken a rather unorthodox approach to the matter. According to Turkish football reporter Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, the Super Lig club has separated the Super Eagles star from the rest of the squad.
Ahead of their game against Galatasaray, coach Volkan Demirel instructed the Nigerian international to train separately. Consequently, he will not be part of the team to face his former side.
“Henry Onyekuru did not participate in today’s training session. A report has been submitted by the technical staff regarding his inadequate and unmotivated performance. Gençlerbirliği will make an official statement regarding Henry Onyekuru in the near future,” Sabuncuoğlu wrote.
This is a major decision, considering the Red and Blacks are currently fighting relegation, sitting just two points above the drop zone with five games left to play.
Soccer Onyekuru: The Real Situation With Super Eagles Star
Regarding the true situation with the Nigerian international, some Turkish journalists have tagged Henry Onyekuru as an unserious footballer. Unfortunately for the striker, his statistics do not provide much of a defense, as he has looked unconvincing in every appearance.
Genclerbirligi have made five managerial changes this season, yet Onyekuru has failed to play a significant role under any of the four coaches.
His social media presence has also complicated matters, as he is frequently seen flaunting a lavish lifestyle. While this may not directly correlate to his effort on the pitch, the optics are poor given the club’s current crisis.
In truth, Onyekuru may not be solely at fault; it is possible that Genclerbirligi is attempting to push him out to avoid further financial obligations. Regardless, more details are expected to emerge in the coming days to confirm the reality of the situation. But as it stands, it is difficult to see him staying at the clu beyond this season.
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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