Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu described his match-winning penalty as “crucial” after Trabzonspor rallied to beat İstanbul Başakşehir 4–3 in a wild Turkish Süper Lig clash.
In the 75th minute, following a handball by the Başakşehir defense, the referee awarded a penalty after a VAR check. Onuachu stepped up and calmly converted, sending the keeper the wrong way and leveling the score for his side.
The Nigerian forward now has nine league goals this season a tally that is making him one of the most decisive players in the Turkish top flight.
Reflecting on the game, Onuachu said: “It’s always good to win. We are happy with the three points … I scored a crucial penalty at that moment.”
He also noted that even though Başakşehir played with ten men for much of the match, it wasn’t easy to find space: “As a striker there’s not much to do. You just have to find spaces … but I stayed alert.”
Editorial
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In football, there are few moments more pressure-laden than a penalty in a tight game and Paul Onuachu delivered exactly when his team needed him most. That successful spot-kick was not just a goal it was a statement of temperament, composure, and ambition.
Onuachu’s words ring with maturity. He called the goal “crucial,” not for its individual brilliance, but for the context a high-stakes match, a comeback on the line, and a team fighting for position. It’s one thing to be a physical presence, another to be the one your teammates trust in such a defining moment.
But this is also confirmation of his rising importance at Trabzonspor. With nine league goals, he is not just working his way into the squad he is helping carry it. His ability to remain calm under pressure suggests he’s not just a goalscorer, but a game-changer.
For Nigerian football fans, Onuachu’s resurgence is heartening. He’s proving that the classic No. 9 — tall, strong, and reliable still has a vital role in modern football. And on nights like this, his presence isn’t just noticed it’s decisive.
If he continues to grow in influence, he could become a central figure not only for Trabzonspor but for the Super Eagles once again.
Did You Know?
- Onuachu’s penalty came after a VAR check, showing how technology awarded him the chance.
- That goal brought his league total to nine, making him one of Trabzonspor’s most effective goal scorers this season.
- He admitted that when Başakşehir went down to ten men, he had to be extra alert: “you just have to find spaces … but I stayed alert.”
- Onuachu has previously spoken out about refereeing, calling a disallowed goal “a shame” on the Turkish league earlier this season.
- Earlier this season, Onuachu also scored a spectacular bicycle-kick goal, which he described as one of his best ever.
