Two Nigerian born stars Anthony Nwakaeme and Mikel Obi both played crucial roles as Trabzonspor thumped Kayserispor 6-2 at the Medical Park Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi was in action for the entire duration of the encounter, but it was compatriot Nwakaeme who was among the goals as the host ran riot in front of their supporters.
The third Nigerian at the club Ogenyi Onazi was however not involved in the eight-goal thriller that witnessed three strikes in the first 45.
Sorloth and Nwakaeme gave Unal Karaman’s men the lead before Uzun netted for the visitors during the first period.
Former Liverpool and Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge then claimed a quick-fire double – the other from the spot – early in the second half to give the home side a three-goal cushion. Parmark and Sorloth then completed the rout either side of a Kravets consolation goal for Kayserispor.
The match was Mikel Obi’s 12th of the league campaign for Trabzonspor who, with the victory, rise into third place on the Super Lig table, two points behind leaders Sivasspor.
The former Chelsea defensive midfield ace has helped make Unal Karaman’s side one of the meanest in the Turkish top flight, having conceded just 19 times in 17 games.
Meanwhile, Anthony Nwakaeme’s strike against Kayserispor was his fifth in the league this term with the 30-year-old forward also accounting for four more assists. The former Hapoel Be’er Sheva attacker has not missed a single league game for Trabzonspor so far.