It was all smiles for Super Eagles midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo and his team Genclerbirligi as they earned a valuable 1-0 derby win over rivals Ankaragucu in the Turkish Lig. 1 as he emerged as The-Man-Of-The-Match on a wet Saturday night.
Etebo once again, put in the works in the middle of the pitch to fend off attacks from the neighbouring visitors as the importance of the game wasn’t lost on his team especially after they lost their last away tie to Sanliurfa.
The former Stoke City of England and his teammates contended against Ankaragucu who used to pay for the services of Ahmed Musa as the first-half ended without both sides putting the ball in the net.
On resumption, the home team stepped up their ambitions and their efforts bore fruits in the 63rd minute as Alparen Babakan headed the ball into the right corner of the post from the centre of the box after a cross from the corner by Bukran Caligan.
Etebo drew three free-kick calls from their opponents in the course of the second-half even as his attempt at goal outside the box in the 98th minute was blocked by an Ankaragucu defender.
Genclerbirligi and Etebo would end the game with the maximum three points in the bag despite several attempts at increasing the tally while Ankaragucu also tried to grab a point in the engaging encounter at the Eryaman Stadium, Ankara.
Coach Recep Karatepe has continued to find faith in the former Galatasaray midfielder enforcer who is enjoying a new lease of life at the Ankara based club.
“First of all, I’m very happy about this game especially winning it because it is important for everyone and it’s a derby.”
The Russia 2018 World Cup star was modest as he emphasised that being rated as the Man-of -The-Match would definitely motivate him more at bringing his A-Game to every game.
“Well for me, every game is important until the end of season” he declared, “and Yeah, next game is an away game, I’m already motivated already from the derby win.”
The 29 year-old who was out of football action for a season due to an injury has now enjoyed 13 straight starts at his club missing no single league game since the season began in July.
