Çaykur Rizespor head coach Recep Uçar has admitted that stopping Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu will be a major challenge when his team faces Trabzonspor this weekend, Afrik-Foot reports.
The two sides will meet on Saturday at the Akyazı Stadium in a Matchday 26 clash in the Süper Lig.
Trabzonspor go into the game as clear favourites. The Black Sea club currently sit third in the league with 54 points and are chasing the teams above them in the title race. Rizespor, meanwhile, are ninth on the table and will need a strong performance if they hope to get a result away from home.
Much of the attention before the match is focused on Onuachu, who has been in incredible form this season. The Super Eagles striker has scored 20 league goals, making him the top scorer in the Turkish league so far. His recent form has been even more remarkable.
Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in January, Onuachu has scored in each of his last nine appearances in all competitions for Trabzonspor. That run has made him one of the most dangerous forwards in Turkish football at the moment.
Uçar knows his defenders will have their hands full trying to stop the tall Super Eagles striker.
“Paul Onuachu has scored in all of his last seven matches,” he said as per Haber61.
“He is one of the tallest strikers in the league and is particularly effective with high balls in the penalty area. Stopping him won't be easy, but we will do our best together with our defenders. However, Trabzonspor is not just Onuachu; it is a team with many high-quality players.”
Onuachu’s influence on Trabzonspor has been huge this season. In the 16 league matches in which he has scored, the club has picked up 37 points, recording 11 wins, four draws and only one defeat. Those numbers clearly portray how important his goals have been to the team’s strong position on the league table.
Uçar praises Trabzonspor and sends condolences after tragedy
While much of the pre-match talk has been about Onuachu, Uçar also spoke about Trabzonspor as a team and paid tribute after a sad event that affected the club this week.
Trabzonspor were hit by tragedy following the death of assistant coach Orhan Kaynak, who passed away in Trabzon at the age of 56 after suffering a heart attack.
Uçar revealed that Kaynak was not just a colleague in football but someone he had shared the pitch with earlier in his career.
“He was my teammate with whom I played football in the past. We have lost Orhan Kaynak, a valuable figure in the football community, our beloved coach, trainer, and friend.
“I offer my condolences to his family, Trabzonspor Club, and the entire sports community. May he rest in peace.”
Despite preparing for a tough match, Uçar also had positive words for Trabzonspor and the work they have done this season.
“They are currently in third place and are 3 points behind second-placed Fenerbahçe. Despite having a new squad, they have done very well. They also play effectively at home.
“A tough match awaits us, that's clear. We want to play our own game and continue the rhythm and momentum we have gained.”
Trabzonspor’s strong home form and attacking quality make them a difficult opponent, but Rizespor will hope their current momentum can help them compete in what promises to be a challenging fixture.
