Trabzonspor head coach Fatih Tekke has voiced strong criticism over what he called “obvious fouls” committed against Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu during their 1-1 draw with İstanbul Başakşehir at the Papara Stadium on Sunday. The match, played in front of a lively crowd, ended in a stalemate, but Tekke’s post-match comments focused on the physical treatment Onuachu received, which he believes hindered the striker’s ability to influence the game. Onuachu, who recently returned from injury, struggled to make a decisive impact as he was tightly marked and frequently disrupted by aggressive defending throughout the 90 minutes.
The former Southampton forward had limited involvement in the attacking third, recording just seven touches in the opposition box. He was fouled twice during the match as Başakşehir’s defenders attempted to neutralise his physical and aerial threat. Tekke expressed discomfort with the referee’s failure to intervene in these situations, stating that the opposition gained an unfair advantage from the unpenalised fouls. “There were obvious fouls on Onuachu,” Tekke said via Yenimesaj. “The opponent gained an advantage from these situations. I’m uncomfortable with these things.”
The Trabzonspor boss also raised broader concerns about the inconsistency in officiating decisions. He pointed to a specific incident involving a corner kick and the positioning of defender Augusto, questioning the lack of standard in the referee’s judgment. “There was a ball from a corner and Augusto’s position. There’s no standard in the decisions. Everyone is already complaining about the referees,” he added. His comments reflect growing frustration among coaches and players across the Turkish Süper Lig over refereeing quality.
Despite the lack of impact in this particular match, Onuachu remains one of Trabzonspor’s most consistent performers this season. The 31-year-old Nigerian international has scored 24 goals and provided two assists in 29 appearances across all competitions, making him a key figure in the team’s push for silverware. His performances have been instrumental in keeping Trabzonspor in contention for the league title and a coveted European qualification spot.
With only a few matches remaining in the season, Onuachu will be crucial to Trabzonspor’s ambitions. His experience, physicality, and goal-scoring ability will be tested as the club looks to finish the campaign strongly. The spotlight remains on the Nigerian striker as he aims to maintain his form and help his team achieve its objectives in the final stretch of the season.
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