Former Rangers International star Ibrahim Olawoyin’s 97th minute winner proved decisive in his side Ankara Keçiorengucu’s 3-2 win over Bandimarspor on Saturday afternoon.
Keçiorengucu had languished in the red zone of the Turkish Division League for the past ten match days and came up against the fifth placed side on the log Bandimarspor at the Aktepe Stadium in Ankara.
Keçiorengucu made a dream start when Nigerien Issa Djibrilla diverted home Emeka Eze’s cross-shot in the 4th minute.
They then had a chance to further increase the tally in the 20th minute when Olawoyin was felled inside the box but team captain Fatih Solmaz saw his penalty kick saved by the goalkeeper.
The hosts were stunned barely one minute later when Bandimarspor levelled through Senegalese striker Phillipe Keny.
Olawoyin again went close to restoring his side’s lead but his effort after going past three markers came off the upright and rebounded to safety. First half ended 1-1.
Bandimarspor then went in front six minutes after the break after a sloppy pass from Keçiorengucu goalkeeper Huseyin Yilmaz was intercepted by Kerim Avci who crossed for Guido Koçer to finish.
With full time approaching, Keçiorengucu equalised through Olawoyin’s compatriot Eze who blasted home a left footed effort from just inside the box. Seven minutes added.
With 96 minutes played, Keçiorengucu won a corner after some persistent attacks. Substitute Ali Kol’s far post corner was flicked by Djibrilla back to Olawoyin who was lurking at the edge of the box.
The 24-year old cushioned the ball with his chest before unleashing a left-footed volley which thrusted through a sea of bodies inside the box and nestled inside the bottom corner.
The win took Ankara Keçiorengucu to 17 points from fifteen matches and are hovering above the red zone pending the outcome of other games this weekend.
