Olawoyin, Sowe combine to keep Rizespor afloat

African stars Ibrahim Olawoyin and Ali Sowé once again brought their partnership to the fore to secure a 2-0 win for Çaykur Rizespor over Gaziantep FK in a game that virtually secures their Turkish Super League status for another season.

Both teams clashed at the Çaykur Didi Stadium on Saturday in a Match Day 34 encounter with relegation trouble whispering to either side from afar. But in the end, two goals from the two West Africans in the final thirteen minutes of the game calmed all nerves of the homers.

Sowe thought he had given hosts Rizespor the lead in first half stoppage time but his effort was ruled out for offside, as affirmed by the VAR. Another Nigerian star Babajide Akintola was then thrown into the fray on the hour mark as Ilhan Palut’s men sought to break down their opponents.

It was however not until the 77th minute when Olawoyin – who started the game in his favourite central midfield role but by then had been moved to the Number 10 role following the substitution of Bosnian Dal Varesanovic – found Sowe with an incisive cross which the Gambian exquisitely flicked to the top corner.

Rizespor from then on brought the game under control, hoping to see off a crucial win in their bid to steer clear of relegation troubles but their West African combination had other ideas.

With seconds left on the clock, Rizespor had a mini break and got the ball to Olawoyin who found Sowe with a long ball down the right flank. The striker showed incredible pace at that time of the game to advance beyond Gaziantep defender Bruno Viana into the box before selfishly cutting back for Olawoyin who had made his way into the box.

The former Rangers International star kept his composure, feigned the last defender before firing into an unguarded post much to the relief and excitement of the Rize fans.

The win moved Rizespor to 40 points from 32 matches, six points clear of the relegation zone with four matches left to play in the league this term. Up next for Rizespor is a trip to Konyaspor next Saturday.