Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu was once again at the centre of everything good about Trabzonspor as they claimed a huge 2-1 win over Galatasaray on Saturday night, Soccernet.ng reports.
Afterwards, Trabzonspor head coach Fatih Tekke made it clear just how important the Nigerian striker was, especially in the first half of the titanic clash.
The home side made a perfect start at Papara Park. Just four minutes into the game, Onuachu rose above the Galatasaray defence to head in a precise cross from Wagner Pina. It was a simple goal in some ways, but it showed exactly what he does best; using his height, strength and timing to trouble defenders.
That early goal settled Trabzonspor and set the tone for the rest of the match. It also carried extra meaning, as it was Onuachu’s first goal against Galatasaray, meaning he has now scored against all three of Turkey’s biggest clubs – Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas.
Still, it was not just about Onuachu's goal for Tekke. Speaking after the match, the Trabzonspor manager highlighted something less obvious but just as important.
“Galatasaray is generally a team that plays very well behind the defense, with second balls and set pieces. One of their best things is to apply pressure one-on-one and create danger with the balls they win,” Tekke said as per BeinSports.
“In this match, I wanted to use the fullbacks a bit more. Leaving Fatih Tekke aside, belief is very important here. Especially Onuachu's attempts to hold onto the balls in the first half were very valuable. After matches like this, if you don't take it one game at a time, unexpected things can happen.”
That ability to hold up play gave Trabzonspor a way out under pressure. It allowed teammates to move forward, relieved tension at key moments, and helped the home side control the game when Galatasaray tried to push back.
Although Wilfried Singo equalised early in the second half, another Nigerian, Chibuike Nwaiwu, scored the winner in the 62nd minute to seal a result that has blown the title race wide open.
A season to remember for Paul Onuachu
If this performance felt familiar, it is because Onuachu has been doing it all season.
The Nigerian striker is enjoying the best campaign of his career, scoring 24 goals and providing two assists in just 26 appearances across all competitions. In the league alone, he has 22 goals, making him the top scorer and putting him firmly on course for the Golden Boot.
His influence goes beyond just numbers. At 2.01 metres tall, he has become one of the most difficult forwards to handle in the Süper Lig. He dominates in the air, wins duels regularly, and gives Trabzonspor a direct option when they need it most.
This season, nearly 40 percent of Trabzonspor’s league goals have come from Onuachu. That tells its own story: when he plays well, the team usually does too.
He has also been remarkably consistent. A run of goals in 10 straight matches shows just how reliable he has become, while his recent form since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations has been outstanding, with 13 goals in his last 10 games.
There is also history within reach. Onuachu is closing in on the club record for most league goals by a foreign player in a single season, a mark of 25 set by Shota Arveladze. At his current pace, that record looks very much under threat.
More importantly, his goals are driving Trabzonspor’s title push. The win over Galatasaray moved them to within one point of the top of the table, and with a striker in this kind of form, belief is growing.
According to Tekke, that belief starts with players like Onuachu; not just for the goals he scores, but for the hard, often unseen work he puts in for the team.
