“Will do our best” – Rizespor coach bothered by Paul Onuachu problem ahead of Trabzonspor clash

Rizespor coach Recep Ucar has admitted that he is wary of the threat posed by Paul Onuachu ahead of their clash on Saturday, Afrik-Foot reports.

​Rizespor will lock horns with Super Lig high-flyers Trabzonspor in their 26th league game of the season at Papara Park.

While Rizespor currently occupy a decent 9th place on the table, the Black Sea Storm enter the match as heavy favorites; they sit in 3rd place, a full 24 points ahead of their visitors.

​A key part in Trabzonspor’s impressive run this season is Super Eagles hitman Paul Onuachu. The 31-year-old striker has proven to be a lethal marksman, contributing 20 goals and two assists in just 22 appearances.

​Onuachu has been involved in nearly half of his team’s goals this season and is currently on a remarkable seven-game scoring streak.

He currently leads the Super Lig goalscoring charts and looks primed to secure the Golden Boot. Ahead of this weekend’s fixture, coach Ucar acknowledged the Nigerian’s vital importance to the Trabzonspor attack.

​What Recep Ucar Said About Paul Onuachu

​During the pre-match buildup, coach Recep Ucar praised the Nigerian’s abilities while noting that Trabzonspor possesses other dangerous players who can hurt his team.

​”Trabzonspor is in great form. Perhaps Onuachu is in even better form than Trabzonspor itself,” Ucar said. “Currently, if I remember correctly, he has scored in all of his last seven matches. The goals he scores are also very similar to one another.”

​”He is the tallest center-forward in the league. Inside the penalty area, he is a player who is truly not easy to stop, especially when the ball is delivered there—particularly with high balls. I must say, it won’t be easy at all for us, but of course, together with our defenders, we will do our best to stop him.”

​Ucar also touched on the depth of the opposition: “When we look at it, Zubkov is in great form, and Oleksii was recovering from an injury. Folcarelli is also in very good form; he had an injury, but I think he will likely be ready for our match. They have very high-quality players in the back. Therefore, regarding the other players as well—yes, we will do the best we can to stop them.”

​Unfortunately for coach Ucar, this match comes at a challenging time for Rizespor. Trabzonspor are just three points behind second-placed Fenerbahce and are hungry to overtake them.

On a personal level, Onuachu is on the brink of becoming the first Trabzonspor player to score in eight consecutive games, providing him with extra motivation to find the net. Ucar’s defenders will need to be at their absolute best to contain him this Saturday.