Nigerian star Ibrahim Olawoyin scored a late winner as Çaykur Rizespor recorded a crucial come-from-behind 1-2 win over Bodrumspor in the Turkish Lig One on Sunday afternoon.
Having missed last weekend’s game due to card suspension, Olawoyin was thrown straight into the starting lineup for the crucial fixture against Bodrumspor at the Bodrum Ilçe Stadium.
After a cagey first half that ended scoreless, both teams upped the ante in the second half and the hosts went in front in the 59th minute in fortuitous fashion; Celal Dumanli charging down on Rizespor goalkeeper Zafer Gorgen’s clearance which cannoned off the attacker and into the net.
Rizespor head coach Bülent Korkmaz rang the changes just after the hour mark, replacing some of the team’s most experienced stars; Yannick Bolasie, John Mary and Okechukwu Azubuike. He got the response he wanted however late it was.
It was Olawoyin who provided a pin-point cross from the right wing in the 85th minute which substitute Benhur Keser glanced home for a deserved equalizer for Rizespor after a spell of domination.
With the game looking certain to end in a stalemate, the visitors struck the winner deep into stoppage time. After another substitute Kubilay Kanatsızkuş had flicked the ball onto the path of Keser, the winger saw his well-struck effort denied by Bodrumspor goalkeeper Diogo Sousa but Olawoyin was on hand to head home into an open net.
The goal was Olawoyin’s sixth of the campaign while the earlier assist was his eighth for the season. The win also propelled Rizespor to 5th on the log, two points above Bodrumspor who are directly below them on the table.
Olawoyin and his Rizespor teammates will continue their fight for promotion back to the Turkish Super Lig when they host Altay next Saturday at the Çaykur Didi Stadium in Rize.
Lookman more technical than Osimhen – Peseiro
Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, says Ademola Lookman is more technical than Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen.
Peseiro, who was in Naples to watch Napoli defeat Atalanta 2-0 at the Diego Amando Maradona stadium on Saturda, told SportsItalia that Atalanta coach, Gian Piero Gasperini has helped in the growth of the Lookman.
“Ademola (Lookman) is more technical than Osimhen, more inclined to create chances and he is now also scoring.
“He’s doing really well this year. He grew up with Gasperini and now he’s always playing well and we’re happy with him.
“He too can aspire to do great things,” said Peseiro.
Peseiro says the geometrical improvements in the two Nigerians who have netted 31 Serie A goals together this term has not happened by chance.
“I would add one thing that applies to both,” he continued.
“It is no coincidence that they have both grown like this this year. This is because they are both within a good game system.
“Atalanta and Napoli want the ball, they want to play and attack. In these conditions, players like this are exalted. Italian football has changed a lot in recent years.”
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
