Trabzonspor manager, Fatih Tekke has demanded even more from Super Eagles striker, Paul Onuachu despite the Nigerian forward’s impressive form, warning him that reducing needless turnovers would earn him more goals.
Onuachu has been in exceptional form this season, leading the Super Lig scoring chart with 18 goals in 21 league matches, three more than he managed across the same number of games during his first stint at the club. Seven of those goals have come from headers.
Yet Tekke, one of Trabzonspor’s all-time leading scorers, believes the 2.01m forward is leaving goals on the table with sloppy ball losses.
“I gave him some valuable advice. Onuachu’s role in improving our game is more important than the goal he scored. If Onuachu doesn’t make those turnovers, those simple turnovers, you’ll have more goalscoring opportunities,” the 48-year-old said, as quoted by 61Saat.
Tekke, however, made clear his overall satisfaction with the Nigerian, saying, “At this level, we need Onuachu’s performance and goals more than his advice. His performance so far has been very good. We’re glad he’s here.”
The manager also emphasised that Trabzonspor’s success was a collective effort, adding, “This isn’t just about Onuachu; it’s a team effort. Some of the goals we score come from individual solutions, but there are also moments when the team needs each other.”
Onuachu’s exploits have already made history at the club. His goal in the 3-1 win over Fatih Karagümrük extended his scoring run to six consecutive Super Lig matches, the longest such streak in Trabzonspor’s league history, surpassing a five-game run Tekke himself set during the 2004/05 season.
Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, the striker has scored in every match he has played, making eight goals in total, seven in the league and one in the Turkish Cup.
Against Karagümrük, Onuachu also provided an assist, setting up compatriot Chibuike Nwaiwu with a header before the defender sealed the win in the 50th minute.
The striker, who joined Trabzonspor permanently from Southampton last summer, is now chasing another landmark. He is eight goals away from becoming the highest-scoring foreign player in a single Super Lig season for the club, a record held by Arveladze with 25 goals in the 1995/96 campaign.
His form has helped Trabzonspor climb to third place in the table as they remain in the title race. They face Kayserispor on Monday.
Credit: punchng.com
