Nigeria international Paul Onuachu starred with a brace as Trabzonspor defeated Konyaspor 2-1 in Friday’s final to lift the Turkish Cup.
The victory handed Trabzonspor their first Turkish Cup triumph since 2020 and their 10th overall title since winning the competition for the first time in 1977.
Fellow Nigerian Chibuike Nwaiwu featured for the entire match for Trabzonspor, while Anthony Nwakaeme remained on the bench as an unused substitute.
Onuachu ends seven-game goal drought
Before the final against Konyaspor, Onuachu had gone seven matches without finding the net for Trabzonspor.
The 31-year-old, however, returned to scoring form in style, opening the scoring in the 18th minute with a superb volley from inside the box after connecting with a cross from the right flank.
Konyaspor responded five minutes into the second half through Democratic Republic of Congo forward Jackson Muleka, who restored parity for his side.
The game could have tilted in Konyaspor’s favour in the 58th minute after they were awarded a penalty, but Enis Bardhi failed to convert from the spot.
Onuachu seals victory for Trabzonspor
Trabzonspor later earned a penalty of their own, and Onuachu calmly converted to restore his side’s lead at 2-1 and secure the trophy.
The striker has now won three domestic cup titles in Europe, having previously lifted the Danish Cup with Midtjylland in 2019 and the Belgian Cup with Genk in 2021.
Onuachu also finished as joint-top scorer in the recently concluded Turkish Super Lig season after registering 22 goals and two assists in 30 league appearances.
Super Eagles call-ups
Meanwhile, Onuachu has been named in the Super Eagles squad for next month’s international friendlies against Poland and Portugal.
Nigeria will face Poland in Warsaw on June 3 before taking on 2026 FIFA World Cup-bound Portugal in Leiria on June 10.
Nwaiwu, on the other hand, was included in the squad for the Unity Cup, where the Super Eagles will face Zimbabwe in the first semi-final on May 26.
The winner between Nigeria and Zimbabwe will advance to the final to play either Jamaica or India.