Gaziantep FK asserted its dominance on home turf with a convincing 3-1 victory over Eyüpspor during the 26th week of the Turkish Super Lig on March 3, 2025. The match, held at Gaziantep Büyükşehir Stadyumu, showcased the talents of former Black Stars attacker, Emmanuel Boateng, who proved instrumental for the home side.
Boateng, who had recently joined Gaziantep from the Saudi Pro League club Al Orubah during the winter transfer window, started the match on the bench. He was substituted onto the field at the beginning of the second half, replacing Halil Dervişoğlu. Just moments after entering the game, he opened the scoring for Gaziantep FK with help from his teammate Alexandru Maxim. This goal, which came at the 52nd minute, set the stage for what would be his standout performance.
Eyüpspor, eager to break their four-game winless streak, wasn’t about to back down. The visitors managed to equalize the match when defender Tayfur Bingöl found the back of the net in the 65th minute, connecting with a precise pass from Caner Erkin. It was, for the time being, the turning of the tide, but not for long.
Boateng quickly reclaimed the lead for Gaziantep FK, scoring his second goal of the match at the 78th minute. His second strike showcased his sharp positioning and the poise necessary to convert key opportunities. With the score now 2-1, Gaziantep seemed to have found its footing against the newcomers to the Super Lig.
Late in the game, Eyüpspor's situation turned dire. Caner Erkin, who had earlier assisted the equalizer, received his marching orders after receiving a red card for dissent after the 90th minute. Gaziantep took full advantage of their numerical superiority, and shortly after, David Okereke sealed the victory with the third goal deep in stoppage time, netting his effort at 90+4 minutes.
This decisive win marked an important milestone for Gaziantep FK, boosting their points total to 32 and elevATING them to mid-table safety. They will look to build on this momentum when they face Beşiktaş next week. Conversely, Eyüpspor remained at 40 points, stuck in fifth place, and struggling to find their rhythm heading toward their upcoming game against Konyaspor.
For Gaziantep, the victory highlights the potential within their squad, especially with Boateng and Okereke finding their scoring touch. Coach Selçuk İnan’s strategies seem to be paying off as the team navigates through the competitive league season, and they hope to continue this upward trend after their victory.
Eyüpspor, under the management of Arda Turan, now faces even more pressure as they struggle to recover and are still searching for their first win after their recent losing streak.
The match showcased not just the skill on the field but the emotional stakes for both teams—each sharpened by the desire to secure points and improve their standing as they approach the final stretches of the 2025 season.