Paul Onuachu Brace Fires Trabzonspor to Turkish Cup Title, Echoing Victor Osimhen’s Heroics

Paul Onuachu etched his name into Trabzonspor history on Friday evening, scoring a brace in a dramatic 2-1 Turkish Cup final victory over Konyaspor — a performance that drew immediate comparisons to fellow Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen, who had inspired Galatasaray to claim the same trophy the previous year.

The 31-year-old striker broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with an assured finish to give Trabzonspor an early advantage, a lead they carried into half-time. The final, however, was far from straightforward. Five minutes after the restart, Jackson Muleka capitalised on a loose ball inside the penalty area to level for Konyaspor, shifting the momentum decisively in their favour.

Konyaspor pressed for a winner and came agonisingly close when Tim Jabol-Folcarelli conceded a foul in the box, presenting Enis Bardhi with a penalty. The Konyaspor midfielder struck the post from 12 yards, squandering what appeared to be a golden opportunity to take the lead.

The contest turned once more in the 79th minute when Marko Jevtovic was penalised for a handball inside the area. Onuachu, who finished the 2025-26 campaign as the Turkish Super Lig’s top scorer, stepped up with composure and converted the spot-kick to restore Trabzonspor’s lead. The club held firm through a late Konyaspor onslaught to secure the silverware.

The result carries added significance given last season’s context: Galatasaray and Osimhen had denied Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup during Onuachu’s absence, making Friday’s triumph a form of redemption for the club. Trabzonspor had previously won the Turkish Cup in 2020, meaning this latest victory ended a six-year wait for domestic cup success.

Onuachu was not the only Nigerian on the winning side. Anthony Nwakaeme and Chibuike Nwaiwu — the latter recently named in the squad for the 2026 Unity Cup — were also part of the Trabzonspor matchday contingent, giving the occasion a notable Super Eagles flavour.

For Onuachu personally, the medal represents his first major honour with Trabzonspor since joining the club. According to Pulse Sports, the former Southampton forward registered 26 goals and two assists across 36 appearances in all competitions during the season — a return that underlines his status as one of the more productive strikers in Turkish football.

With the 2026 Unity Cup on the horizon, Onuachu’s form will be of considerable interest to the Super Eagles technical staff as Nigeria prepare for the upcoming international fixture against Zimbabwe, a match that has already generated anticipation on both sides.