Paul Onuachu is still searching for his first goal of the season, but Trabzonspor manager Fatih Tekke has called for patience with the Nigerian striker after the club’s 2-1 Turkish Süper Lig victory against İstanbul Başakşehir.
Tekke backs Onuachu
Onuachu was included in the starting line-up but failed to score, extending a barren run that has also continued through Trabzonspor’s other recent competitive fixtures. That drought follows an outstanding 2025/26 campaign in which he struck 26 times in all competitions.
Tekke believes the forward should not be judged too quickly, pointing to the major role he played for Trabzonspor last season.
“If we are discussing the Europa League now, Paul gave us 26 goals. How can we ignore what that means?” Tekke said.
The coach added that a player’s circumstances away from the pitch must also be taken into account.
“Paul needs our patience as well. Even if he has two poor matches, remember that this level has come after just three training sessions,” he said.
Tekke continued: “Only three sessions. No one knows what takes place during them. A footballer is not a machine when he steps onto the field. Players have feelings, and they deal with personal difficulties.”
Chances despite the drought
Although he has not yet scored, Onuachu has continued to threaten opposing defences. During the first leg of Trabzonspor’s Europa League play-off tie against Ferencvaros, his second-half header beat the goalkeeper but hit the post.
He also managed to get into promising positions against Başakşehir, though none of those chances resulted in a goal.
Tekke said the striker had also made progress in his ball retention.
“I mentioned this last year too: there were occasions when he gave the ball away far too easily. He did that less in the previous match, and that was a significant improvement for him,” the manager said.
The Trabzonspor boss remains convinced that the goals will soon return.
“He is going to score. Has he done so yet? No, but he will. And does Paul not deserve recognition for what he has given us? Of course he does, so we are in a positive position,” Tekke said.
Onuachu has already demonstrated his finishing ability in a Trabzonspor shirt, sharing the Turkish Süper Lig’s Golden Boot last season after scoring 22 goals in the league.
He will now aim to reward Tekke’s continued backing by ending his wait for a goal as Trabzonspor’s campaign progresses.
