Injured as early as the 10th minute in the Conference League, Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu has an “extremely low” chance of playing in the clash with Beşiktaş, according to the Turkish press. Franculino Djú, the Guinea-Bissau striker, is tipped to replace him.
Paul Onuachu has begun intensive treatment, according to medical information confirmed by Milliyet and relayed on Saturday morning by NTVSpor. His chances of being fit to face Beşiktaş on Monday evening are considered “extremely low”. The 32-year-old Nigerian international was injured as early as the 10th minute of the Conference League match won 4-2 against KuPS Kuopio, according to All Nigeria Soccer.
The picture leaves little room for optimism. Thomas Reis, the Trabzonspor coach, has already decided internally to replace Onuachu in the starting XI with Franculino Djú, according to NTVSpor.
A goal before going off
The injury comes at a particularly bad time, as Paul Onuachu had made a fine start to his European evening. According to Haberler, he opened the scoring in the 3rd minute from a Mohamed Salah assist, before making way for Franculino Djú seven minutes later.
Asked by TRT Spor and NTVSpor, Thomas Reis reacted: “Specifically for Onuachu, he has been very unlucky. He is a player who works very well in training. He started the match well and scored a nice goal. It is a very unfortunate injury. I hope he will be back soon.”
Djú, the deputy in fine form
Franculino Djú, who came on for Onuachu in Finland, scored a brace, in the 47th and 91st minutes, according to Foot Africa. A performance that fits into a highly productive attack: since Thomas Reis took charge, Trabzonspor have averaged 3.7 goals per match across the games against Galatasaray, Samsunspor and KuPS, according to NTV.
In that run, the scorers are Mohamed Salah (4 goals), Franculino Djú (3), Paul Onuachu, Noah Saviolo and Ernest Muçi, again according to NTV. Nigerian midfielder Chibuike Nwaiwu, who has served his European suspension, will return to the squad for the clash, reports All Nigeria Soccer.
A stop-start November for the Super Eagles
Beyond the Süper Lig clash, Onuachu’s muscle relapse could jeopardise his participation in the next Nigeria national team camp, coached by Éric Chelle and scheduled for November 2026, according to Pulse Sports Nigeria.
The calendar gives Trabzonspor no respite: the match against Beşiktaş is scheduled for Monday 19 October 2026, according to WhoScored and TRT Spor, with no certainty over the presence of their Nigerian striker.