Fresh from his bronze-medal campaign with the Super Eagles, Paul Onuachu made a sensational return to club football on Friday, January 23, 2026.1 The lanky forward came off the bench to inspire Trabzonspor to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Kasımpaşa at the Papara Park.2
The win keeps Trabzonspor firmly in the hunt for the Süper Lig title, moving them within striking distance of Victor Osimhen’s league-leading Galatasaray.3
Match Highlights: The Super Sub Effect
After a goalless first half, Trabzonspor manager made a tactical switch that changed the game.
- The Goal: Onuachu replaced Kazeem Olaigbe at the start of the second half.4 Just five minutes later (51st minute), he fired home a precise strike after a brilliant setup by Christ Inao Oulaï.5
- The Equalizer: Kasımpaşa responded in the 61st minute through Fousseni Diabaté, who finished a clinical through ball from İrfan Can Kahveci.6
- The Winner: With the game heading toward a draw, Oleksandr Zubkov secured all three points for the “Black Sea Storm” in the 84th minute, assisted by the legendary Anthony Nwakaeme.7
Onuachu’s 2025/2026 Season Stats
| Metric | Statistic |
| Süper Lig Goals | 12 |
| Season Milestone | Scored Nigeria’s 150th all-time AFCON goal. |
| Rank | Joint-second in the Süper Lig Golden Boot race. |
| National Duty | Won Bronze with Nigeria at AFCON 2025 (Morocco). |
AFCON 2025: A Bronze Finish
Onuachu’s club success follows a resilient performance in Morocco, where the Super Eagles finished third in Africa.8
- The Podium: Nigeria defeated Egypt 4–2 on penalties (after a 0–0 draw) in the third-place playoff on January 17, 2026.9
- Personal Milestone: During the group stages, Onuachu etched his name into history by scoring Nigeria’s 150th goal in Africa Cup of Nations history.10
- Tournament Outcome: The hosts, Morocco, lost a dramatic final to Senegal (1-0), who were crowned champions of Africa for the second time.11
