Drama in Turkey — Super Eagles striker Onuachu scores again,...

Drama in Turkey — Super Eagles striker Onuachu scores again, but heartbreak strikes Trabzonspor in dying seconds

Paul Onuachu scored again to extend his lead over Victor Osimhen in the Golden Boot race, but a late Alanyaspor goal denied Trabzonspor all three points. Brimming with confidence, Paul Onuachu continued to shine for Trabzonspor as he extended his lead over compatriot Victor Osimhen in the Turkish Süper Lig’s Golden Boot race. However, his side was denied a crucial victory by a late equaliser from Alanyaspor in a dramatic 1-1 draw at Papara Park on Saturday. The 31-year-old striker, who remains on the periphery of the Super Eagles national team setup despite his club form, once again showed his goal-scoring form by finding the net in the 15th minute. Onuachu’s opener was a demonstration of his aerial ability and clinical finishing, a key asset for Trabzonspor as they push for the league title. This latest strike was his eighth league goal of the season, giving him a five-goal cushion over Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen in the top-scorer standings. Osimhen, who was carefully marked throughout the encounter in the prior week's Galatasaray-Trabzonspor draw, will be keen to respond in his next fixture. Despite taking the lead, Trabzonspor struggled to capitalise on their advantage. Alanyaspor, determined not to lose against the title contenders, ramped up the pressure as the match wore on. The visitors’ resilience paid off 17 minutes from time when Ianis Hagi produced a stunning long-range strike that left Trabzonspor’s goalkeeper with no chance. The equaliser, scored deep in the second half, was a heartbreaking blow for Onuachu and his teammates, as it denied them all three points that could have significantly boosted their championship hopes. The match ended 1-1, with both teams sharing the spoils. The draw ensures Onuachu’s lead in the Golden Boot race remains intact, while Victor Osimhen and his team will be eager to respond in their upcoming matches to close the gap. The result has immediate implications for the title race. Trabzonspor, who were second prior to the match, have dropped to third place in the Süper Lig table with 25 points from 12 games. They now trail Fenerbahce SK, who sit second with 25 points from 11 games, and league leaders Galatasaray S.K., who top the table with 29 points from 11 games. The draw gives Galatasaray the chance to extend their lead on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Super Eagles' head coach, Eric Chelle, recently announced his 24-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs against Gabon, which will be played on Thursday, in Rabat, Morocco. Despite his brilliant goal-scoring form, Paul Onuachu was notably not included in the squad, with Chelle opting for other forwards like Osimhen, Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, and Olakunle Olusegun. But the Nigerian giant remains a central figure in his club's ambitions as the race intensifies toward the final stretch of the first half of the season.

Paul Onuachu scored again to extend his lead over Victor Osimhen in the Golden Boot race, but a late Alanyaspor goal denied Trabzonspor all three points.

Brimming with confidence, Paul Onuachu continued to shine for Trabzonspor as he extended his lead over compatriot Victor Osimhen in the Turkish Süper Lig’s Golden Boot race.

However, his side was denied a crucial victory by a late equaliser from Alanyaspor in a dramatic 1-1 draw at Papara Park on Saturday.

The 31-year-old striker, who remains on the periphery of the Super Eagles national team setup despite his club form, once again showed his goal-scoring form by finding the net in the 15th minute.

Onuachu’s opener was a demonstration of his aerial ability and clinical finishing, a key asset for Trabzonspor as they push for the league title.

This latest strike was his eighth league goal of the season, giving him a five-goal cushion over Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen in the top-scorer standings.

Osimhen, who was carefully marked throughout the encounter in the prior week's Galatasaray-Trabzonspor draw, will be keen to respond in his next fixture.

Despite taking the lead, Trabzonspor struggled to capitalise on their advantage. Alanyaspor, determined not to lose against the title contenders, ramped up the pressure as the match wore on.

The visitors’ resilience paid off 17 minutes from time when Ianis Hagi produced a stunning long-range strike that left Trabzonspor’s goalkeeper with no chance.

The equaliser, scored deep in the second half, was a heartbreaking blow for Onuachu and his teammates, as it denied them all three points that could have significantly boosted their championship hopes.

The match ended 1-1, with both teams sharing the spoils. The draw ensures Onuachu’s lead in the Golden Boot race remains intact, while Victor Osimhen and his team will be eager to respond in their upcoming matches to close the gap.

The result has immediate implications for the title race. Trabzonspor, who were second prior to the match, have dropped to third place in the Süper Lig table with 25 points from 12 games.

They now trail Fenerbahce SK, who sit second with 25 points from 11 games, and league leaders Galatasaray S.K., who top the table with 29 points from 11 games. The draw gives Galatasaray the chance to extend their lead on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles' head coach, Eric Chelle, recently announced his 24-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Playoffs against Gabon, which will be played on Thursday, in Rabat, Morocco.

Despite his brilliant goal-scoring form, Paul Onuachu was notably not included in the squad, with Chelle opting for other forwards like Osimhen, Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams, and Olakunle Olusegun.

But the Nigerian giant remains a central figure in his club's ambitions as the race intensifies toward the final stretch of the first half of the season.