Super Eagles midfielder Ibrahim Olawoyin was the driving force behind Çaykur Rizespor’s 2-1 win over MKE Ankaragücü in their second Turkish Cup Group A fixture.

Olawoyin, who has been one of Rizespor’s standout performers in the Turkish Süper Lig this season, once again proved his value. The 27-year-old has made 19 league appearances, starting 18, and averaging 82 minutes per game.

He wasted no time making an impact, delivering a pinpoint assist for Varesanovic’s header in the 10th minute to open the scoring.

Just minutes later, Olawoyin won a penalty after being fouled by Rakoczy, which Jurecka confidently converted in the 14th minute, putting Rizespor 2-0 ahead.

Rizespor Hold On Despite Late Pressure

Ankaragücü pulled one back in the 77th minute when Coelho capitalized on a corner from Mesut Emre Kesik, but Rizespor held firm to see out the victory.

The performance was a perfect response from Olawoyin, who endured a mixed outing in Rizespor’s dramatic 3-2 league defeat to Fenerbahçe last weekend.

He had provided an assist in that match but was later sent off, which overshadowed his contributions.

A Season of Consistency

The former Enugu Rangers star has been crucial to Rizespor’s attack, averaging 51.6 touches per game and boasting an impressive 80% pass accuracy with 24.9 accurate passes per match. His consistency is evident, having been named to the Team of the Week three times this season.

Olawoyin has contributed two goals, with an expected goals (xG) of 2.08, showcasing his ability to deliver in key moments. Alongside his goal-scoring, he’s provided four assists and created six big chances, demonstrating his playmaking ability.

Çaykur Rizespor currently sits 10th in the league with 27 points from 21 matches. Their next fixture sees them take on 8th-placed Kasımpaşa on February 9 in what promises to be another crucial clash.