Manchester United loanee André Onana delivered a standout performance in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals on April 23, 2026, saving three penalties in a shootout to guide Trabzonspor past Samsunspor and into the semi-finals of the competition.
The quarter-final tie at Samsun Stadium could not be separated across 120 minutes, finishing goalless despite a numerical advantage for Trabzonspor following Samsunspor’s Cherif Ndiaye receiving a red card in the 69th minute. With the deadlock unbroken, the tie proceeded to a penalty shootout.
Onana proved the decisive figure from the spot. The Cameroonian goalkeeper denied efforts from Lubomie Satka, Marius Mouandilmadji, and Yunus Emre Cift, giving Trabzonspor a commanding position throughout the sequence. The Black Sea club converted their kicks to claim a 3-1 shootout victory, with Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu among those who stepped up confidently to score.
The performance earned Onana a perfect 10 rating on Sofascore, reflecting the scale of his contribution on the night. The 30-year-old has been on loan at Trabzonspor from Manchester United, and the showing has drawn renewed attention to his potential future at Old Trafford, with supporters on social media speculating that such displays could strengthen the case for his return to the Premier League club.
Trabzonspor’s reward for progressing is a semi-final meeting with Gençlerbirliği, who eliminated Galatasaray in their own quarter-final tie. The club, who last won the Turkish Cup in 2025, will now carry genuine ambitions of reaching the final and defending that title.
Onana’s involvement in Turkey has come amid an uncertain period for him at Manchester United. The goalkeeper joined the club from Inter Milan in the summer of 2023 but has faced scrutiny over his performances at club level since arriving in England. His loan spell at Trabzonspor has provided an opportunity to rebuild form and confidence, and displays such as this shootout heroics in the cup are likely to inform decisions about his future in the coming months.
For Onuachu, the successful penalty conversion adds to a season in which the Nigerian forward has been a key figure for Trabzonspor in domestic competition. His composure under pressure during the shootout reflected the collective resilience the squad has shown throughout their cup run.
With a semi-final berth secured, Trabzonspor now look ahead to a two-legged or single-match tie against Gençlerbirliği as they target a place in the Turkish Cup final.
