Nigerian defender Chibuike Nwaiwu scored twice as Trabzonspor claimed a handsome 3-1 win over Fatih Karagumruk at Papara Park, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigerian stars Nwaiwu and Paul Onuachu maintained their spots in Trabzonspor's starting lineup as they welcomed relegation-threatened Karagumruk.
Trabzonspor entered the tie as heavy favorites and asserted their dominance from the opening whistle.
It took just 20 minutes for the hosts to take the lead, with Onuachu once again finding the net. Following a well-worked attacking sequence, Ozan Tufan whipped a cross into the box which Onuachu met with a powerful, well-drilled header into the center of the goal.
However, their lead lasted only eight minutes before Daniele Verde pulled the visitors level. Despite sustained pressure from Trabzonspor, the first half ended in a stalemate.
Trabzonspor began the second half with renewed intensity and were rewarded just five minutes after the restart.
Nwaiwu, who joined the club in the winter window, proved clutch by scoring two headers within the opening five minutes of the half.
His brace proved to be the decisive factor as Trabzonspor secured the victory after 90 minutes.
Aside from his opening goal, Onuachu also provided the assist for Nwaiwu's second strike. The Nigerian defender was undoubtedly the star of the match, marking his first two goals for the club since arriving from Wolfsberger in January.
NFC teknolojili formalarımız ile kullanılan oylar sonucunda, Fatih Karagümrük maçının oyuncusu seçildi! ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/F2kbKJFtNy
— Trabzonspor (@Trabzonspor) February 27, 2026
The win is vital as it keeps Trabzonspor within striking distance of the top two, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce.
Watch Highlights of Trabzonspor vs Karagumruk
Chibuike Nwaiwu: Time For a Super Eagles Call-up?
Since his January move from Wolfsberger AC, Chibuike Nwaiwu has established himself as a mainstay in the Trabzonspor defense.
Having previously been linked with several top European sides, he is now proving his mettle in a more competitive league.
His performance today served as a timely reminder that he can offer significant value in the final third in addition to his defensive solidity.
These are dual qualities that Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle should be looking to integrate into the national team setup.
At just 22 years old, Nwaiwu has been remarkably consistent for the Black Sea Storm. With the upcoming international windows approaching, he has certainly earned the opportunity to prove his worth in a Nigerian jersey.
