Turkish Super Lig 1: Kayode Scores Again, Takes A Knee To Celebrate
Barely a week after scoring a sensational and fantastic overhead kick during a Turkish Super Lig 1 match against Galatasaray, which was disallowed by referee Alper Ulusoy, , Gaziantep FC striker, Olanrewaju Kayode, at the weekend scored another beautiful goal for his club, which this time around counted.
The game was against Antalyaspor and it ended 1-1, with Kayode being Gaziantep FC lone scorer.
Smarting from having his bicycle kick strike wrongly overruled by centre referee, the former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles forward was in red hot form as he fired in a right volley that rattled the back of the net.
Displaying an uncanny sharp alertness and agility in front of goal, Kayode netted the opener after 58 minutes, latching onto a pass from the right flank to spark off wild celebrations from his teammates, who only a week ago, were left frustrated following the referee’s decision to disallow the former Under-23 forward injury time overhead kick against Istanbul giants Galatasaray. That encounter ended 3-3 at Galatasaray home ground.
What made Kayode’s goal against Antalyaspor on Sunday the more interesting was the celebration that ensued after his powerful right volley shot rested at the back of the net.
As if taking a cue from the events and reactions that have trailed the death of Black American George Floyd in the hands of a white American police officer, who has since been dismissed and facing murder.charges, for kneeling on the neck of Floyd, Kayode celebrated his goal with a take a knee celebration, evoking emotional responses from teammates and fans watching on television at homes.
Kayode has now scored 10 goals, made six assists, from 13 appearances this season.
His fine scoring form has raised his market value in the transfer market, with some top clubs in the Turkish top flight, believed to be keen to sign him on a permanent basis from parent club, Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine.
Some observers and pundits also feel that Kayode is due for another invitation to the Super Eagles squad by Manager Gernot Rohr, given his impressive form in top flight football in Europe.
