Onuachu lifts Turkish Cup as DR Congo ace and Konyaspor lose to Super Eagles star’s brilliance

Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu was the hero after scoring twice to lead Trabzonspor to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Konyaspor in the 2026 Turkish Cup final, Afrik-Foot reports.

The towering Super Eagles striker produced the defining performance of the night at Corendon Airlines Park in Antalya, where Trabzonspor lifted their 10th Turkish Cup title after falling painfully short against Galatasaray in last year’s final.

Onuachu opened the scoring in the 17th minute after Trabzonspor started brightly. The Nigerian forward used his strength and sharp movement inside the penalty area before finishing calmly past the goalkeeper to hand the Black Sea Storm an early advantage.

Konyaspor, however, refused to collapse. The side had already knocked out Turkish giants Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş on their way to the final and came into the game full of belief. Their pressure paid off four minutes into the second half when DR Congo forward Jackson Muleka punished a defensive lapse to level the match at 1-1.

For a short period, momentum swung towards Konyaspor as Muleka tried to inspire another upset. But while the Congolese striker fought hard, it was Onuachu who completely took control of the final.

The decisive moment arrived in the 78th minute when Trabzonspor won a penalty after sustained attacking pressure inside the box. Onuachu stepped forward confidently and buried the spot-kick to restore Trabzonspor’s lead and seal the trophy.

The Nigerian finished the night with two goals from five shots, with four of his efforts testing the goalkeeper. Muleka scored once from four attempts but could not match Onuachu’s ruthless efficiency in front of goal.

Trabzonspor also survived late pressure thanks to several important saves from goalkeeper André Onana, who was reportedly playing his final game for the club before ending his loan spell.

Onuachu’s first Turkish title

The trophy is Onuachu’s first major honour in Turkish football and further strengthens his legendary status among Trabzonspor supporters.

The former Southampton striker has enjoyed a sensational second spell at the club since returning permanently ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. After initially impressing during a loan spell from Southampton in the 2023-24 season, Trabzonspor moved aggressively to bring him back following his return to England.

That decision has transformed their attack. Onuachu ended the current Süper Lig campaign as joint-top scorer with 22 league goals in 30 appearances, while his four goals in the Turkish Cup proved crucial to Trabzonspor’s route to the title.

His brace in Antalya also helped the club secure redemption after last season’s disappointing final defeat and guaranteed European football through qualification for the UEFA Europa League.

The cup success moves Trabzonspor onto 10 Turkish Cup titles, just one behind Beşiktaş and comfortably ahead of Fenerbahçe on the all-time list.

Across both spells with Trabzonspor, Onuachu has now scored an astonishing 43 goals in 60 matches.

The latest title win adds another medal to the Nigerian’s growing collection. Before arriving in Turkey, he won three trophies with FC Midtjylland in Denmark and lifted the Belgian Cup with KRC Genk.