Mixed feelings as Mikel, Onazi clash in Turkey

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIA internationals, Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi have expressed mixed feelings after their team’s Trabzonspor and Denizlispor clash in the Turkish Cup on Thursday.

It was a bitter home debut for Onazi, who won the battle against his former side Trabzonspor that had Mikel and Anthony Nwakaeme in the starting XI, but lost the war as Denizlispor were knocked out of the competition.

Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports that after losing 2-0 in the first leg, Denizlispor showed resilience and fought back to settle for a 2-2 draw on aggregate at home on Thursday before eventually bowing to a 4-3 defeat on penalties.

Onazi, who joined Denzilispor on a one-and-a-half-year deal after being released by Trabzonspor helped his new side overturned the 2-0 first-leg deficit before being replaced in the 56th minute by Radosław Murawski.

“Mixed feelings yesterday playing against Trabzonspor, also happy to have my first game in my new home. Perfect game for us but we know our intentions already... Sunday game is more important for us… See you on Sunday our lovely fans,” he posted on his verified Instagram account.

Mikel was in action for 89 minutes before making way for Dogan Erdogan, expressed his disappointment with the loss, even though delighted to see his team progress to the next round.

“Wasn’t the result we wanted, but we happy to have qualified for the next round #trabzon.” The former Super Eagles captain said via Instagram.

Trabzonspor will now host BB Erzurumspor in the first-leg of the last eight fixtures at the Medical Park Stadyumu on February 4, before traveling to Kazım Karabekir Stadyumu on January 11 for the return leg.