Angu Lesley Ngwa Akonwi
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
André Onana was once again at the heart of Trabzonspor’s resistance as the Cameroonian goalkeeper produced a commanding performance to help his side hold off a spirited Çaykur Rizespor in a thrilling 2–1 victory at Papara Park on Saturday evening.
The 29-year-old made several decisive interventions in the second half to preserve Trabzonspor’s slender lead after an action-packed opening 45 minutes that saw all three goals scored.
Onuachu strikes again as Trabzonspor take control
The home side started with purpose and got their reward in the 19th minute when Felipe Augusto calmly tucked home the opener following sustained pressure from the hosts.
Trabzonspor doubled their advantage just eight minutes later, and it was that man Paul Onuachu again. The Nigerian forward continued his superb form, finishing confidently from Inao Oulai’s clever assist to make it 2–0.
But Rizespor refused to be brushed aside. The visitors grew into the contest and were rewarded when Jesurun Rak-Sakyi halved the deficit in the 42nd minute, capitalising on a lapse in concentration from Trabzonspor’s defence to slot home and restore hope before half-time.
Onana’s assurance the difference
If the first half belonged to Trabzonspor’s forwards, the second half was all about André Onana. The Cameroonian stood firm under mounting pressure as Rizespor pushed numbers forward in search of an equaliser.
He made a sharp stop in the 47th minute to deny Erdem Bulut from close range and later reacted brilliantly to parry away a powerful late strike from Rohden Baniya in the 85th minute.
Beyond the saves, Onana’s calm distribution and command of his area helped Trabzonspor manage the game’s tempo, repeatedly diffusing danger and organizing his back line through the closing stages.
Tactical battle and tense finale
Rizespor boss Ilhan Palut made a flurry of changes — introducing Buljubasic, Bouchouari, and Sowe to inject urgency — but Trabzonspor matched them with disciplined structure.
Manager Abdullah Avcı responded by introducing fresh legs like Ernest Muci and Valentin Mihaila to stretch the pitch and relieve pressure. Despite late pressure from the visitors, Trabzonspor’s defence, marshalled by Onana, stood tall.
Avcı praises “decisive” Onana
After the match, Avcı was full of praise for his goalkeeper:
“André gave us calm and confidence. In the final minutes, he made the difference between three points and one. That’s what top goalkeepers do.”
For Rizespor, it was a case of missed chances and fine margins. Palut’s men left Trabzon empty-handed despite a commendable effort.
What it means
The result lifts Trabzonspor further up the Süper Lig standings and extends their unbeaten home run. Onana, whose recent displays have grown in consistency, continues to prove vital in the club’s pursuit of a top-three finish.
For the Cameroonian, this performance — built on composure, focus, and leadership — was a timely reminder of his enduring class and reliability at the highest level.
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