Paul Onuachu reaffirmed his vital role for both club and country on Saturday by netting his seventh goal of the Turkish Süper Lig season, helping Trabzonspor secure a 2-1 victory over Rizespor, according to Soccernet.ng.
The Nigerian striker, known for his imposing presence, has now found the back of the net in four straight league games. His timely goal provides a significant boost for Nigeria’s coach Eric Chelle, who is currently grappling with a striker shortage ahead of the upcoming World Cup playoff matches.
Trabzonspor wasted no time asserting dominance at the Çaykur Didi Stadyumu, with Felipe Augusto opening the scoring in just the second minute.
Seventeen minutes later, Onuachu extended the lead with a commanding header, showcasing his aerial prowess by meeting a precise cross and directing it powerfully into the net-his seventh goal in the league this season.
Rizespor responded in the 27th minute when Jesurun Rak-Sakyi capitalized on a defensive error to pull one back. Despite this, Trabzonspor’s organized defense held firm, ensuring the team maintained their advantage and stretched their unbeaten streak to four games.
This win propelled Trabzonspor to second place in the league standings with 20 points, trailing leaders Galatasaray by just two points.
Onuachu’s remarkable consistency has crowned him the Süper Lig’s leading scorer, sitting two goals ahead of Galatasaray’s Mauro Icardi and Besiktas’ Rafa Silva. His impressive run of form is sure to reignite debates about his role in Nigeria’s frontline.
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Onuachu Steps Up as Moffi’s Injury Poses Challenge for Chelle
Nigeria’s build-up to the World Cup playoffs next month has been disrupted by the injury to striker Terem Moffi, who sustained a calf strain shortly after returning to OGC Nice following international duty.
“Terem got injured this morning during his first training session after returning from international duty. It was a light session, but he experienced calf pain,” OGC Nice coach Franck Haise told France Bleu. “He is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. We will have more information tomorrow.”
This setback is particularly frustrating for Moffi, who had recently fought his way back into Nice’s starting eleven after a challenging injury period last season. For coach Chelle, this means revisiting his tactical options.
CAF has officially announced that Nigeria will clash with Gabon on November 13 in Morocco. The victor will then face either Cameroon or DR Congo three days later, with the winner advancing to the intercontinental playoffs-the final step toward qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
With Moffi sidelined, Onuachu emerges as the most logical candidate to fill the void upfront. However, Chelle also has other attacking options to consider, including Cyriel Dessers and Kelechi Iheanacho, as he finalizes his squad in the coming weeks.
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