Nigerian attacker Henry Onyekuru has been red hot for his Turkish side, Galatasaray the last five days, a team that he joined on a season-long loan from English Premier League side Everton a couple of weeks ago.
The 21-year-old carried The Lions to victory once again on Sunday, scoring his second goal in a preseason game, in a 1-0 win over Tunisia’s Club Africain at the Rades Olympic Stadium.
Onyekuru’s goal was something special, as the former Anderlecht man reacted quickly to slam home a rebound after Yunus’ shot was saved by the goalkeeper, handing Galatasaray the victory on the night.
In that very impressive performance, the Nigerian came as a second half substitute and was about to break the deadlock in the 63rd minute when he lifted highest to nod a well-taken cross from Mugdat which flew inches wide.
On Tuesday, Onyekuru impressed again, though he fired blanks, at his team’s 2-3 defeat to EK Athens at the Olympic Stadium, Greece.
He provided an assist in Maicon’s first goal though he was replaced by Algerian midfielder, Sofiane Feghouli at the start of the second half.
Onyekuru’s addition to Galatasaray has seen nothing but success, as the team has suffered only one defeat in their four preseason games.
The attacker is surely winning the battle for the number 9 starting shirt ahead of French player Bafatimi Gomis who is yet to get his rhythm ahead of the new season.
Taking a look at his background, Onyenkuru signed for the Toffees last summer before being loaned to Belgian side Anderlecht to help him qualify for a work permit.
With the Brussels-based giants, he scored nine goals in 19 appearances but suffered a serious knee injury in December and returned to Merseyside for treatment.
In his two seasons spent at the Belgian top-flight club, Onyenkuru netted 30 goals in 60 matches in all competitions.
Originally, he was signed from Belgian club KAS Eupen for a fee of £7m by Everton, having rose from Aspire Academy of Qatar where he was registered at the age of 13 and spent five years before joining professional ranks.
His Champions League debut was last season against Bayern Munich and is guaranteed of playing again in the elite European competition with the reigning Turkish Super Lig champions.
Having missed the FIFA World Cup where the Super Eagles bowed out from the group stages, the youngster believes his move to the Turkish league can help him return to the team’s fold ahead of the 2019 AFCON qualifiers against Seychelles.
