Nwobodo sees first career red as Ekuban’s Trabzonspor hold Goztepe

Obinna Nwobodo was sent off for the first time ever in his professional career as Goztepe played out a 1-1 draw versus Trabzonspor in Wednesday’s Turkish Super Lig outing.

Playing his 28th game in the 2020-21 campaign, the Nigerian was shown the way out by referee Tugay Numanoglu.

Nwobodo had already been cautioned in the 72nd minute, and a careless challenge on Abdulkadir Omur in the 90th minute saw him red-carded.

Inspired by their 1-1 draw with Fatih Karagumruk last time out, Goz Goz welcomed Abdullah Avci’s men to the Gursel Aksel Stadium.

After several missed opportunities by both teams, the hosts took the lead on the stroke of half-time courtesy of Adis Jahovic.

Having been set up by Malian midfielder Fousseni Diabate, the Macedonian forward slotted the ball past goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.

Not willing to surrender their eight-game unbeaten run, the Black Sea Storm came out stronger in the second half, but their attacking forays met strong resistance from the hosts.

Trabzonspor’s aspirations of recording a comeback triumph suffered a huge setback as Berat Ozdemir was sent off for serious foul play in the 67th minute.

The Turkish midfielder pulled down a goal-bound Diabate forcefully, to the irritation of referee Numanoglu.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Avci’s side was unwilling to give up as they stepped up their attacking play. In the 88th minute, they restored parity through Ghanaian Caleb Ekuban.

Capitalising on the hosts’ inability to clear a cross from Yusuf Sari, the Ghana international tucked the ball past goalkeeper Irfan Egribayat.

With no goals scored in the remaining minutes of the cagey encounter, both teams walked home with one point apiece.

Senegal’s Lamine Gassama was in action from start to finish for Goztepe, his compatriot Cherif Ndiaye was substituted for Zlatko Tripic in the 79th minute - the same time Diabate came off for Austrian midfielder Peter Zulj.

Nigeria’s duo of Brown Ideye and Anderson Esiti was brought on for Jahovic and Soner Aydogdu, respectively, with a minute to play.

For the visitors, Anthony Nwakaeme, who was handed a starter’s role, came off for Flavio in the 90th minute.

Whereas, on-loan Stoke City forward Benik Afobe was an unused substitute.