Super Eagles midfielder Ibrahim Olawoyin once again played a pivotal role in his side Çaykur Rizespor’s stunning comeback 3-2 win over Samsunspor on Saturday night in the Turkish Super League, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Week 24 game decided at the New Samsun May 19 Stadium in the city of Samsun was played under intense snowy conditions and Samsunspor raced to a 2-0 lead in the first half but were stung by their opponents after a triple change by Rizespor manager Ilhan Palut at half time.
Samsunspor who are having an incredible run in the league this season, placed 3rd after twenty-four games went in front in the 23rd minute when Rizespor defender Samet Akaydin headed an indirect free kick into his own net.
The hosts then doubled their advantage in the 41st minute when Emre Kilinç slotted past Tarik Çetin after Landry Dimata dispossessed Mithat Pala of the ball just after the half way line. That mistake perhaps prompted Palut to remove Pala, Abdulkadir Omur and David Akintola at the interval.
Those substitutions prompted a Rizespor revival in the second half and they halved the deficit when Lubomir Šatka diverted into his own net under pressure from Olawoyin. With four minutes left, Rizespor drew level after one of the substitutes Vaclav Jurečka flicked the ball for Gambian striker Ali Sowe who turned and fired home with aplomb.
It became worse for Samsunspor two minutes later after another of the half time substitutes Altin Zeqiri netted what turned out to be the winner in an exquisite fashion. First Olawoyin neatly dribble past his marker before slicing the ball through to Zeqiri who kept his composure to wrong foot two markers before finishing.
The win ended Rizespor’s run of three consecutive league defeats which included narrow defeats to the top two sides Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray. They will face Trabzonspor in a crucial Cup game on Wednesday.
Olawoyin was adjudged man of the match in the game by a host of platforms have recorded three tackles, three interceptions and completing all his four attempted dribbles.
