Super-sub Olanrewaju Kayode’s Winner Powers Struggling Sivasspor Past Uzodimma’s Giresunspor

The Braves had struggled for form while recording some disappointing results in recent times, but their Nigerian import proved to be the match-winner as Sivasspor knock Giresunspor out of the Turkish Cup

Nigerian international Olanrewaju Kayode came off the bench to apply the decisive finish as Sivasspor secured a narrow 1-0  win over Lig 1 outfit Giresunspor in the Fifth Round of the Turkish Cup.

Sivasspor had not won any of their last five matches in all competitions and laboured for the most part against the confident visitors, who had remained unbeaten in their previous seven games in the second division.

But forgotten Super Eagles star Kayode arrived in the second half to score the all-important winner in the 92nd minute of the encounter to save coach Riza Çalımbay’s men from further embarrassment.

Giresunspor paraded 21-year-old Anthony Uzodimma from the start, with the young Nigerian midfielder receiving a caution for his troubles in the first half before he was substituted in the 62nd minute.

But former Girona man Kayode, who was introduced on the hour-mark for Kerem Kesgin, provided the biggest highlight of the match, pouncing on an Arouna Kone pass to fire past Goktan Cörüt handling the visitors’ goal.

Kayode, on-loan from Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, has been Sivasspor’s goal-king in the cup competitions, with the 27-year-old striker netting four goals in just five appearances in the group stages of the Europa League.