Onuachu In Fitness Race Ahead Of Crucial Başakşehir Clash

Trabzonspor are in a race against time to have Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu fit for Sunday’s pivotal Turkish Super Lig encounter against Istanbul Başakşehir.

The 31-year-old forward missed last weekend’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Alanyaspor due to a muscle injury, and his absence was keenly felt as Trabzonspor struggled to convert dominance into victory.

Without Onuachu’s physical presence and clinical finishing, Fatih Tekke’s side lacked the cutting edge required to secure all three points—dropping valuable ground in the title race.

The result leaves Trabzonspor four points adrift of leaders Galatasaray, a gap that remains recoverable but increasingly precarious as the season approaches its climax. With little margin for error, every remaining fixture carries heightened significance, including the looming test against a well-organised Başakşehir side.

Onuachu has been central to Trabzonspor’s push for silverware this season. The former Southampton loanee has delivered an outstanding return of 22 goals and two assists in just 25 league appearances, underlining his importance to the team’s attacking structure.

His dominance in the air, ability to hold up play, and instinctive finishing have made him indispensable. In his absence, Trabzonspor’s attack has appeared blunt and predictable.

Club medical staff are now working intensively to accelerate his recovery, with hopes he can feature in Sunday’s encounter. While there is caution over aggravating the injury, the importance of the fixture is not lost on the club.

A failure to secure a positive result against Başakşehir could deal a significant blow to Trabzonspor’s title ambitions. As such, there is growing optimism that, if deemed fit, Onuachu will play a part in what could prove a defining moment in their season.