Nwakaeme, Onuachu lead Trabzonspor to Turkish Cup victory

Former Nigeria international Anthony Nwakaeme thrived on Tuesday in his first start for Trabzonspor since early August while compatriot Paul Onuachu also came off the bench to score in a 3-0 Turkish Cup victory over third tier club Fethiyespor.

The 36-year-old showed that he still has some tricks left in his bag after providing a goal and an assist as we played the entire match. The one-time Nigeria international struggled with a couple of long-term leg injuries before finally returning to action in early January with a handful of substitute appearances before Tuesday’s start.

Heavily favored against lower tier opposition, the hosts struggled to find a breakthrough with a highly rotated squad in the first half. Despite dominating the run of play, a goalless first half prompted coach Fatih Tekke to take precautions by introducing regular starters Onuachu and Ivory Coast national team starlet Christ Inao Oulai at halftime.

After being saved by VAR from conceding a potential shock opener soon after the hour mark, the hosts finally woke up in the 69th minute when Nwakaeme created space on the left wing and laid a pass over to Ernest Muçi. The Albanian produced an excellent strike from distance to make it 1-0 in favor of the club based on the Black Sea coast.

Onuachu got in on the goal-scoring action less than ten minutes later. An attack down the right wing found another substitute, Cape Verde international Wagner Pina, who got to the end line and crossed low to provide an easy finishing opportunity for the Nigerian striker to score his 14th goal in all competitions this season.

The top flight club have now won two of their three matches in Group A of the cup but may need at least a draw in their final group stage match at fellow Süper Lig club İstanbul Başakşehir on March 4. Until then, they will focus on league duties where they currently sit in third place on the Süper Lig table, seven points back of leaders Galatasaray.

 

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