Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu has earned high praise from former referee and football pundit Bünyamin Gezer after guiding Trabzonspor to a second consecutive clean sheet in their 2-0 victory over Beşiktaş. The high-stakes Turkish Süper Lig derby took place on Monday, October 19, 2026, at Papara Park in Trabzon, kicking off at 8:00 PM local time (TRT).
In a commanding team performance, Trabzonspor secured all three points with first-half and second-half strikes from Ozan Tufan in the 21st minute and Mohamed Salah in the 71st minute. Following the final whistle, former FIFA referee and respected football commentator Bünyamin Gezer singled out the Nigerian defender during his tactical analysis for Taka Gazete. Gezer lauded Nwaiwu’s command and authority in neutralizing Beşiktaş’s attack, noting simply that “Nwaiwu is very good in defence” while praising his role in keeping the club defensively stable during crucial fixtures against Turkey’s traditional powerhouses.
Gezer added that technical director Thomas Reis’s strategy of maintaining a compact defensive foundation has allowed Trabzonspor to attack with directness and speed. In his post-match media availability following the clash, Nwaiwu reflected on the team’s defensive cohesion and title aspirations. He acknowledged that it was a very difficult match against a high-caliber opponent, but emphasized that scoring two goals and securing three points was the direct result of thorough tactical preparation.
Nwaiwu explained that the squad works closely with their goalkeeper and maintains tight defensive structures across the pitch to minimize conceded goals. Looking ahead, the Nigerian international reaffirmed the club’s ambition to contend for the league title, stating that becoming champions requires going through challenging stages and working relentlessly week after week.
