
Jackson Muleka celebrates one of his goals on Thursday. Photo: Konyaspor
Jackson Muleka continued his promising start to 2026 while new loan signing Adamo Nagalo got his first start in a dominant Turkish Cup victory for Süper Lig club Konyaspor on Thursday.
🚀 MULEKA’DAN ÇOK KLAS BİR GOL!
🟢⚪️ Konyaspor, Aliağa FK karşısında Jackson Muleka’nın 4. dakikada kaydettiği golle 1-0 öne geçti.#ZTK pic.twitter.com/nzsm05Ibrb
— A Spor (@aspor) February 5, 2026
Muleka opened the scoring inside four minutes with a beautiful curling strike to set the tone in a 5-0 victory against third tier side Aliağa FK. The Congolese forward benefited from a bit of fortune on his second goal when Tunahan Taşçı’s strike deflected off the former Beşiktaş player and into the goal.
With a 3-0 lead secured by halftime, Muleka was substituted off during the break to keep him fresh for Konyaspor’s home clash three days later against Göztepe in the Süper Lig. He now has 4 goals and 2 assists in 20 matches from league and cup action.
But for Nagalo, the match was a perfect opportunity for the Burkinabé defender to get a full ninety minutes following his loan move from PSV Eindhoven. The 23-year-old graduate of the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana failed to play a single minute for PSV during the first half the ongoing campaign and debuted for his new club with a late cameo against Beşiktaş last Saturday.
The club from central Türkiye are in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stage of the cup and will finish the group stage on March 4 against Eyüpspor.
Until then, their highest priority will be trying to boost themselves out of the relegation fight in the Süper Lig, where they sit in 14th place and three points out of the drop zone.
Jackson Muleka’s strong start to 2026 continued as the Congolese forward once again demonstrated his attacking quality in Konyaspor’s emphatic Turkish Cup victory. His early goal not only settled the contest quickly but also reflected his growing confidence in front of goal after a challenging spell earlier in the season.
Opening the scoring inside four minutes, Muleka showcased his technical ability with a well-taken curling effort that left the goalkeeper helpless. The goal immediately set the tone for the match, allowing Konyaspor to play with freedom and authority against their lower-league opponents. His second contribution, though aided by a deflection, was a reward for his intelligent positioning and constant presence in dangerous areas.
With the game effectively decided before halftime, the coaching staff opted to withdraw Muleka during the break. The decision highlighted his importance to the team, particularly with a crucial Süper Lig fixture approaching. Preserving his fitness could prove vital as Konyaspor look to climb away from the relegation zone.
While Muleka stole the headlines, the match was equally significant for Adamo Nagalo, who earned his first start since joining Konyaspor on loan from PSV Eindhoven. The Burkinabé defender delivered a composed performance, completing the full ninety minutes and showing signs of the defensive solidity that attracted interest from the Turkish side.
Nagalo’s move to Konyaspor represents an important step in his development. After failing to feature for PSV during the first half of the campaign, the opportunity for regular minutes is crucial for a young defender seeking rhythm and confidence. His earlier cameo against Beşiktaş offered a glimpse of his potential, but the Turkish Cup clash allowed him to properly settle into the team’s defensive structure.
A product of Ghana’s Right to Dream Academy, Nagalo is known for his calmness on the ball and strong positional awareness. His performance against Aliağa FK will likely encourage the coaching staff to consider him more regularly, especially as Konyaspor navigate a demanding schedule across league and cup competitions.
The convincing victory places Konyaspor in a strong position to progress to the knockout stages of the Turkish Cup. With the final group match scheduled for March 4 against Eyüpspor, qualification now looks well within reach. Success in the cup could provide a welcome morale boost for a squad battling inconsistency in the league.
However, the club’s immediate priority remains their Süper Lig survival. Sitting 14th in the table and just three points above the relegation zone, every league fixture carries significant weight. Muleka’s recent form could be decisive in the coming weeks, particularly if he continues to combine goals with assists as he has done so far this season.
The upcoming home clash against Göztepe will be another test of Konyaspor’s progress. A positive result could help shift momentum in their favor and ease pressure heading into the latter stages of the campaign.