Nigerian forward Anthony Nwakaeme made a significant impact as Trabzonspor kicked off their Turkish Cup Group A campaign with a convincing 3-0 win against Alanyaspor.
The Super Eagles player, who has one international appearance, came off the bench to score the final goal, propelling Trabzonspor to the top of the table on goal difference over Fatih Karagümrük.
After a scoreless first half, Trabzonspor took charge early in the second half. Edin Višća opened the scoring just four minutes after the break, finishing a well-executed play to give the home team the lead.
Alanyaspor had a chance to equalize when Nuno Lima found himself in a good position but was unable to convert.
The visitors regretted that missed opportunity as Trabzonspor extended their lead in the 58th minute.
Simon Banza took advantage of a defensive error to make it 2-0, putting Trabzonspor in a commanding position.
Nwakaeme, who was substituted in for Ozan Tufan at halftime, capped off the performance with a composed finish for Trabzonspor’s third goal, ensuring a comprehensive victory.
The Nigerian remains a beloved figure at Trabzonspor following his remarkable performances in the 2021/22 season, where he netted 15 goals and provided 11 assists, leading the team to a historic league title.
This season, he has recorded two goals and one assist in 15 appearances across all competitions.
