Anthony Nwakaeme’s goal fails to save Trabzonspor from Turkish Cup exit

Super Eagles striker Anthony Nwakaeme was on target in Trabzonspor 3-1 loss to Umraniyespor in a Turkish Cup second leg clash at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Tuesday.

After playing a goalless draw in their first leg clash at Senol Gunes Stadium earlier this month, Trabzonspor knew they have everything to play for against Umraniyespor in the return fixture.

The Turkish Super Lig side started like a house on fire and quickly went ahead in the 35th minute through Nigerian striker Anthony Nwakaeme.

The lower league side pushed for an equalizer but it never came, so at half time Trabzonspor were on top and looked set for a place in the last four of the Turkish Cup.

But two goals in the space of nine minutes, ten minutes after the restart swung the pendulum to Umraniyespor side.

Leandrinho equalised for Umraniyespor in the 55th minute, Emircan Altintas in the 66th minute gave the Turkish league 1 side the lead.

After back and forth actions with both teams coming very close, Atabey Cicek in 97th minute put the nail on the coffin and send Trabzonspor out of the Turkish Cup in the quarterfinal while his side Umraniyespor move into the last 4.

Anthony Nwakaeme’s goal since scoring the only goal in Trabzonspor 1-0 victory against Ankaragucu in a league game on February 2nd was not enough to save Trabzonspor from an aggregate 3-1 loss and Cup exit.

By; Tope Adefala