Olanrewaju Kayode continued his impressive scoring form in Turkey as he found the net once again to help Esenler Erokspor claim a 3-1 league victory over Ankaragucu on Monday. The former Shakhtar Donetsk striker struck in the 35th minute, restoring his team’s lead after Ankaragucu had equalised.
This latest goal takes Kayode’s tally to five goals in 11 matches for the Turkish side. The Ibadan-born forward has enjoyed a diverse club career with stints across Côte d’Ivoire, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Israel, before settling into his current role in Turkey.
Kayode is no stranger to the international scene, having represented Nigeria at U17, U20, and U23 levels. He has also earned four caps for the senior Super Eagles.
Editorial
Olanrewaju Kayode’s resurgence in Turkey is a reminder that experience, when matched with opportunity, can still shine brightly. While his career path has taken him across multiple leagues with varying levels of success, this current spell at Esenler Erokspor appears to be a turning point.
In a team looking for goals and leadership, Kayode is delivering both. His ability to score in key moments notably restoring leads or sealing wins underscores his maturity and tactical intelligence. These are the qualities any club, and indeed any national team would value deeply.
While he may not currently be in the Super Eagles conversation, performances like this demand a second look. Nigeria’s attacking pool is deep, yes, but fthe orm should always speak louder than reputation. At 31, Kayode still has much to offer, especially with his wealth of continental and international experience.
If he maintains this level of consistency, a recall shouldn’t be out of the question. Football, after all, thrives on form and Kayode’s form is making noise.
Did You Know?
- Kayode was Nigeria’s top scorer at the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup.
- He made his UEFA Champions League debut with Austria Wien and later scored in the competition while at Shakhtar Donetsk.
- The striker once played for Maccabi Netanya in Israel, where he scored 13 goals in one season.
- Kayode won the Ukrainian Premier League and domestic double with Shakhtar Donetsk in 2017–18.
- Esenler Erokspor, founded in 1959, is based in Istanbul and plays in the Turkish First League TFF 1. Lig.
