Trabzonspor delivered a statement performance in the Turkish Süper Lig on Saturday evening, with three Nigerians playing decisive roles as they claimed a 2-1 victory over league leaders Galatasaray at Papara Park, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu opened the scoring early, heading home a pinpoint cross from Wagner Pina after the right-back had beaten Ismail Jakobs with a brilliant run down the flank.

The goal marked Onuachu’s first-ever strike against Galatasaray, a landmark for the 31-year-old who had previously been unable to find the net in multiple encounters with the Istanbul giants.

The strike also took his league tally to 22 goals for the season, extending his lead at the top of the Süper Lig scoring charts and reaffirming his central role in Trabzonspor’s attacking output.

Onuachu has now scored against all three of Turkey’s traditional “big clubs,” with previous goals coming against Fenerbahce and Besiktas.

Galatasaray responded in the second half to level the score, creating a tense finale to the match.

The visitors, however, were without some key attacking personnel, Nigerian international Victor Osimhen, sidelined with a fractured forearm sustained during the Champions League defeat to Liverpool. Leroy Sane missed out due to suspension, while Gabriel Sara was absent with an ankle injury from international duty.

Trabzonspor regained the lead through another Nigeria international, Chibuike Nwaiwu, who netted his third league goal of the season after a perfectly timed assist from compatriot Anthony Nwakaeme.

Nwakaeme’s creative influence proved decisive, demonstrating his ability to make key contributions in critical moments.

The combined impact of Onuachu, Nwaiwu, and Nwakaeme underscored the significance of Trabzonspor’s Nigerian contingent in the club’s title challenge.

The victory moves Trabzonspor to within a single point of Galatasaray at the top of the table, strengthening their position in the title race and sending a clear message that the league leaders cannot afford any slip-ups.

Together, the trio ensured Trabzonspor emerged victorious in the tightly contested encounter, keeping the club firmly in the race for the Süper Lig crown and establishing the Nigerians as key protagonists in one of the season’s defining fixtures.