Paul Onuachu once again showed his importance to both club and country on Saturday, scoring his seventh goal of the Turkish Super Lig season as Trabzonspor beat Rizespor 2–1, Soccernet.ng reports.
The towering Nigerian striker has now scored in four consecutive league matches, and his latest strike could hardly have come at a better time for Nigeria boss Eric Chelle, who is facing a mild striker crisis ahead of next month’s World Cup playoffs.
Trabzonspor made a flying start at the Çaykur Didi Stadyumu when Felipe Augusto struck in the second minute.
Onuachu doubled the lead just 17 minutes later, rising imperiously to meet a deep cross and power home a trademark header, his seventh league goal of the campaign.
Rizespor replied through Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in the 27th minute after capitalising on a defensive lapse, but the visitors’ disciplined defence stood firm to preserve the win and extend their unbeaten run to four matches.
The victory lifted Trabzonspor to second place in the table with 20 points, just two behind leaders Galatasaray.
Onuachu’s consistency has now made him the Super Lig’s top scorer, two goals clear of Galatasaray’s Mauro Icardi and Besiktas’ Rafa Silva. His excellent form will inevitably reopen discussion about his place in Nigeria’s attack.
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Onuachu: Moffi injury hands Chelle selection dilemma
Nigeria’s preparations for next month’s World Cup playoffs have been hit by the loss of striker Terem Moffi, who suffered a calf injury shortly after returning to OGC Nice from international duty.
“Terem was injured this morning. It was his first training session since returning from international duty. It was a light session, but he felt pain in his calf,” Nice coach Franck Haise told France Bleu. “He will probably be out for several weeks. We’ll know more tomorrow.”
The injury is a major setback for Moffi, who had recently forced his way back into Nice’s starting line-up after a frustrating injury spell last season. For Chelle, it means another tactical rethink.
CAF has confirmed that Nigeria will face Gabon on November 13 in Morocco, with the winners set to meet either Cameroon or DR Congo three days later for a place in the intercontinental playoffs, Africa’s final gateway to the 2026 World Cup.
In Moffi’s absence, Onuachu now looks the most natural choice to replace him, although Cyriel Dessers and Kelechi Iheanacho will also give Chelle plenty to think of in the coming weeks.
