Should Paul Onuachu be named in Nigeria's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the striker has now played his final match of the calendar year for Trabzonspor.

The Super Eagles forward had been walking a disciplinary tightrope before the trip to Göztepe, having accumulated three yellow cards in previous fixtures against Samsunspor, Fenerbahçe and Eyüpspor.

Trabzonspor were reduced to ten men in the 78th minute when right-back Wagner Pina was shown a straight red card.

According to reports in Turkey, including Spox, manager Fatih Tekke responded to Pina's dismissal by deploying Onuachu as a centre-back for the final 20 minutes, including stoppage time.

Onuachu delivered several key interventions in the unfamiliar role, registering an astonishing game-high tally of eleven clearances, while conceding two fouls.

Explaining why the Super Lig's leading scorer, with 11 goals, was moved into defence, Tekke said: "We were down to 10 men. There was no fullback, there was no centre-back. We were forced to move Onuachu into defence."

Meanwhile, Onuachu was cautioned in the 73rd minute, triggering an automatic one-match suspension that will rule him out of next weekend's crucial clash against Beşiktaş, just a day before he is due to be released to the Nigeria Football Federation if selected in the Afcon squad.

A brace from Ernest Muçi helped Trabzonspor establish a two-goal advantage, before Nigerian midfielder Anthony Dennis reduced the deficit with five minutes of normal time remaining.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel