Jesus can hand league title to Fernabahce - Osayi-Samuel

Despite nine points behind league leaders Galatasaray, defender Bright Osayi-Samuel is confident Fenerbahce still have a chance of winning the 2022/23 Turkey Super Lig, the player told PUNCH Sports Extra recently in Abuja.

The Nigerian was in action as Fenerbahçe suffered a shock 4-2 defeat at home to Beşiktaş in the Super Lig derby played on Sunday at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

The former Queens Park Rangers star had an excellent game for the Yellow Canaries, but got a yellow card in the 45th, before being substituted in the 63rd minute.

Since he joined the Beacon of Light in 2021, the Okija-born wing-back has been outstanding and a regular player with 74 appearances, scoring two goals and creating five assists.

Fenerbahçe have won the Super Lig 19 times, with their last league title back in the 2013/14 season.

But the talented defender told PUNCH Sports Extra that he solemnly believed in the tactical prowess of manager Jorge Jesus to lead the team to a 20th league success.

“We are second on the log with nine points behind leaders Galatasaray and we still have a game in hand. We are working hard to win the league, we are the best team in the Turkish league.

“I think If we believe in our ability, then we will win this league. We have one of the best coaches (Jesus) in the world and since I have been working with him I have learned so much from him and also for the other players.

“I think as a team, if we believe in his philosophy, then we will win the league.”

Osayi-Samuel is optimistic that the players will give a good account of themselves, noting that the team have a better opportunity to win the title this season.

“I don’t look at the players and opponents we play against, we just focus on ourselves and what the team is capable of and I think we have more chances of winning the league. Our strength alone is more important than what the opponents can give us.”

The ex-Blackpool youth player made his debut in November 2022, when Nigeria lost 4-0 to Portugal in a friendly, featuring for 90 minutes at right-back and was named Eagles’ best player of the night after a solid performance.

The defender also had a superb performance for Nigeria in the 2023 AFCON qualifying double-header against Guinea-Bissau, putting up a decent display in the first leg and winning the penalty that won the second leg for the Super Eagles.