Super Eagles prospect Ibrahim Olawoyin scored the opening goal for his side Çaykur Rizespor in their 0-4 win away to Istanbulspor in a Turkish Super Lig game decided on Tuesday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Tuesday’s game was the first top flight league game in Turkey after the last international break and it was Olawoyin who was instrumental in his team’s last game before the window that provided the curtain raiser for what would eventually turn out to be a rout of the basement side Istanbulspor.
As early as the game’s 4th minute, Olawoyin retrieved an incoherent pass by Altin Zeqiri from under his foot and standing 20 metres from goal, he carefully caressed his way beyond two opponents before slicing home into the bottom left in off the inside post to give Rizespor a dream lead.
The goal was Olawoyin’s third in consecutive league matches and six overall this season while playing from his new central midfield position. It was also his third goal in four matches against Istanbulspor ever since he moved from Enugu Rangers to Turkey three years ago.
In fact, Olawoyin’s first pair of goals in Turkey came against Istanbulspor when his then second division side Ankara Keçiorengücu beat them 3-2 in a league game.
The former home based Super Eagles star could have also had assists in Tuesday’s game but teammate Dal Varesanovic could not finish his sublime passes on separate occasions. Not to worry though, further goals by Martin Minchev (who scored twice) and Nigerian winger David Akintola – his first goal since joining the club in January – sealed a comprehensive win for the visitors.
The 4-0 win helped reduce Rizespor’s deficit in goals difference and sent Ilhan Palut’s side to the fifth position on the Super Lig log although with their other rivals still to play on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Rizespor will continue their surreal hopes of finishing in the top four when they host Antalyaspor on April 14 at the Çaykur Didi Stadium, Rize.
