Heartbreak as Onyekuru, Etebo narrowly miss out on Turkish League title

The Yellow-Reds fashioned out a fine home win on Saturday, but it was not enough to lift them above Besiktas on the final day of the season

Henry Onyekuru and Oghenekaro Etebo’s dreams of lifting the Turkish Super Lig with Galatasaray have been dashed after Besiktas emerged as champions for the 13th time in their history. 

Onyekuru did not make the matchday squad while Etebo sat on the bench throughout as Galatasaray handed a 3-1 defeat to Yeni Malatyaspor in Istanbul.

But it was still not enough as coach Fatih Terim’s side finished second behind Besiktas on goal difference.

Besiktas won 2-1 at Goztepe to amass 84 points, equal with their eternal city rivals, but a superior plus one goal difference sealed the title for them in one of the closest races in recent memories.

It would be a disappointing end to the campaign for Onyekuru, especially on a night when compatriots Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi lifted the Emirates FA Cup with Leicester City following their 1-0 defeat of Chelsea at Wembley.

It is still not clear where Onyekuru, on loan from Ligue 1 side Monaco, and Stoke City loanee Etebo will play their football next season.

Onyekuru contributed five league goals to Galatasaray’s cause after joining them in January, while Etebo featured 24 times for the Lions.