Super Eagles-ignored Olawoyin Ibrahim off the mark in Turkey for 2024

Super Eagles-eligible star Ibrahim Olawoyin kicked off the New Year in the best possible way after leading Rizespor to a first win in 2024. 

Olawoyin fired the winner as Rizespor extended their unbeaten run with a routine 2-0 win against Hatayspor on Saturday. 

A former Rangers dazzler produced another dominant display in the middle of the park to lead his newly promoted side to another positive outing in the Turkish Super Lig. 

With Rizespor leading by a slim margin courtesy of Dal Varsanovic’s 19th-minute opener, the 26-year-old’s moment of glory arrived with just eight minutes left to play.

Latching on to a good pass from Casper Hojer Nielsen, Ibrahim made no mistake from close range to double the lead and wrap things up at the Caykur Didi Stadymu.

The goal against Hatayspor was the third of the season for the central midfielder, who finished with the most tackles (3) and duels (6) won in the match. 

Olawoyin’s performance this season for Rizespor makes him arguably Nigeria’s best player in the Turkish Super Lig. 

However, despite his rich form, the ex-Antelope was not considered good enough for the Nigeria Super Eagles squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. 

Nigeria is looking for a first AFCON win since 2013 and Olawoyin will watch his compatriot battle host Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau in Group A from his base in Turkey when the competition gets underway on January 13th. 

Following another important win, Rizespor are now unbeaten in their last eight matches, with the latest win taking them up to fifth on the table on 29 points, tied with third-placed Kayserispor, who occupy the last European spot in the Lig.