Nigerian duo of Uchenna Ogundu and Francis Ezeh proved to be the game-changers in two thrilling 1. Lig encounters.
With both teams battling their own challenges, these Nigerian stars rose to the occasion, delivering crucial goals that secured precious victories, Footballrover reports.
Sanliurfaspor fought tooth and nail to break their winless streak, while Keçiörengücü clung to hope with a dramatic second-half display.
This was no ordinary matchday, as the Turkish second division saw emotions run high after the Nigerian stars turned the tide for their respective teams.
Uchenna Ogundu inspires Sanliurfaspor’s narrow victory
Sanliurfaspor’s long-awaited victory was finally achieved by the brilliance of Uchenna Ogundu, who delivered a key goal in their 3-2 win over Boluspor.
After a disheartening series of three defeats and a draw, the young Nigerian striker helped his team claim their first win in five matches.
The game started with an early strike from Safa Kinali, putting Sanliurfaspor in the lead.
But Boluspor wasn’t backing down. Enes Alic equalised with a penalty in the 38th minute, levelling the score at 1-1.
However, just before the break, Uchenna Ogundu showed his poise and skill, restoring his team’s advantage by scoring the second goal of the match.
With his tally now at four for the season, Ogundu’s goal proved crucial.
The second half continued to thrill fans as Hasan Hüseyin Acar converted another penalty for Sanliurfaspor, pushing their lead to 3-1.
Despite Boluspor’s late push, with Dean Lico pulling one back in the dying minutes, Sanliurfaspor held firm, securing a hard-fought 3-2 win.
Though their relegation struggle continues, this victory has breathed new life into their season.
Francis Ezeh delivers the decisive blow for Keçiörengücü
In a similar turn of fortune, Francis Ezeh displayed his lethal finishing touch in Keçiörengücü’s 2-1 victory over Manisa Futbol Kulübü.
After a string of tough losses, including three consecutive defeats, Ezeh’s goal proved the difference as the visitors fought to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The match started cautiously, with both teams unable to break the deadlock in the first 40 minutes.
But the game exploded just before halftime when Demba Diallo fired Manisa ahead.
Keçiörengücü refused to back down, with Malaly Dembele scoring in the dying seconds of the first half to make it 1-1.
Just moments into the second half, it was Francis Ezeh who took center stage.
His clinical strike handed Keçiörengücü the lead, and they never looked back, securing the narrow win.
Ezeh now has five goals and two assists for the season, with this goal marking his seventh contribution to the team’s campaign.
With the three points in the bag, Keçiörengücü climbed to 10th place, leaving Manisa to continue their own battle at the bottom of the table.
Francis Ezeh and his teammates will look to build on this victory as they prepare for their next fixture against none other than Sanliurfaspor.
The Nigerian duo have now demonstrated why they’re among the most exciting talents in the Turkish 1. Lig.
With decisive goals that led their teams to much-needed victories, these Nigerian stars have once again proven that they’re ready to shine when the pressure is on.
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