Paul Onuachu is in unstoppable form in the Turkish Super Lig, continuing his impressive scoring run with another goal for Trabzonspor this weekend. His performances are a strong reminder that Victor Osimhen is not the only Nigerian striker making waves in Turkey.
Standing at 6ft7in, Onuachu is enjoying his best form in years as he rebuilds his career following a difficult spell at Southampton FC. He now leads the Super Lig scoring chart and looks more confident than ever.
Although he scored 15 goals in 21 league matches during his previous loan spell at Trabzonspor in the 2023–24 season, few expected him to have such a strong impact this time around. This was especially surprising given that he picked up an injury shortly after returning to Turkey and also missed part of the season due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite those setbacks, Onuachu has been outstanding. He announced his return with a winning goal on his debut against Kocaelispor in August and has barely slowed down since.
His latest strike came against Rizespor, where he finished from close range after a neat assist from Oleksandr Zubkov. That goal took his league tally to 21 for the season, putting him five goals clear at the top of the scoring charts, even though he has played fewer minutes than his closest rival, Eldor Shomurodov of İstanbul Başakşehir.
The match also carried emotional weight for Trabzonspor following the passing of assistant coach and former player Orhan Kaynak. Onuachu paid tribute by celebrating with a shirt bearing Kaynak’s name.
The striker’s consistency has been remarkable. The last time he failed to score was during Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal match against Egypt in January. Since then, he has scored 10 league goals in just two months.
In total, he has netted 12 times in 10 matches across all competitions since the tournament in Morocco. His scoring streak also makes him the first player in 14 years to score in 10 consecutive matches for Trabzonspor, a feat last achieved by Burak Yılmaz in 2012. He is already the club’s highest scorer in a single season in over a decade.
Trabzonspor still have a chance of ending the season with silverware. They are currently seven points behind league leaders Galatasaray with eight matches left to play, and they remain in the quarterfinals of the Turkish Cup.
Struggles in England
Onuachu’s current form is a sharp contrast to his time in England. He joined Southampton from Genk in February 2023 for a reported £18 million fee, arriving with a reputation as one of Europe’s most prolific strikers outside the top five leagues.
Before that move, he had scored 70 league goals in two and a half seasons in Belgium, including an incredible 33-goal campaign in 2020–21.
However, things did not go as planned in the Premier League. Southampton were struggling at the time, sitting at the bottom of the table, and the team lacked structure and confidence. Onuachu found it difficult to adapt and failed to score in 11 league appearances as the club was relegated.
Even after returning for another attempt, he managed just four goals in 25 matches as Southampton dropped back into the second tier. His style did not quite fit the team’s approach, and he struggled to make a real impact.
A Perfect Fit in Turkey
Back in Turkey, things have been completely different. Trabzonspor’s style of play suits Onuachu’s strengths, especially with wide players who regularly deliver crosses into the box. This allows him to focus on his finishing rather than defensive duties.
As a result, he has been directly involved in a significant portion of the team’s goals this season, contributing around 40 percent of their total output. He is now among the club’s top-scoring foreign players of all time.
Onuachu himself insists that success in Turkey is no easy feat.
“There is no easy game in this league,” he said after the match. “Every match is tough, and we have to keep fighting.”
What Comes Next?
If Onuachu wins the Golden Boot, he will become only the sixth Trabzonspor player to achieve that feat and the first since Alexander Sørloth in 2020. He is also on track to follow Victor Osimhen as the latest Nigerian to top the scoring charts in the league.
At 31, this could represent the peak of his career. While a return to one of Europe’s biggest leagues seems unlikely, opportunities in places like Saudi Arabia or clubs competing in the Champions League outside the top five leagues could be next.
For now, Onuachu has found the perfect environment to thrive. More importantly, he is proving that his earlier struggles do not define his career.
