Besiktas kicked off their new league campaign with late drama as they defeated Eyupspor 2–1 in Istanbul.
Tammy Abraham opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Mame Thiam equalized for the visitors.
The match looked set to end in a draw until Rafa Silva smashed home a stoppage time winner to send the home fans into wild celebrations.
The win gave Besiktas a perfect start to the Trendyol Super League season, but the real talking point came after the game with praise for new signing Wilfred Ndidi.
Ndidi Brings Balance To Midfield
Orkun Kökçü, the 2023 Eredivisie Player of the Year, could not hide his admiration for the Nigerian midfielder who made his debut in the game.
The 24 year old said Ndidi’s presence will be vital in keeping the team steady.
“Ndidi is a proven player,” Kökçü told reporters after the match. He explained that the 28 year old will allow him to focus more on creating chances while Ndidi covers the defensive side.
“I think he’ll be a good fit for me, too, because defense isn’t my strong suit. He’s trying to cover that, but as I said, we haven’t been able to train much. I think we’ll adapt better. We need to be patient and get good results. We want to play better once everyone gets used to it. For now, 3 points is 3 points. We’re happy,” he added.
Ndidi joined Besiktas this summer after spending eight years with Leicester City in England.
Known for his strong tackles and smart positioning, the Super Eagles star is expected to give the Turkish giants more control in midfield battles.
Fans Expect Strong Partnership
Supporters are eager to see how Ndidi will connect with Kökçü in the coming weeks.
The two are tipped to become the engine room of the Black Eagles as the season progresses.
Kökçü admitted that the team is still adapting to new arrivals but believes the squad will gel quickly.
For Besiktas, the late victory not only showed their fighting spirit but also gave a glimpse of how important Ndidi could be.
The Nigerian’s calm style and ability to read the game could be the missing piece for a club aiming to challenge strongly for the league title.
A New Chapter For Ndidi
For the Nigerian midfielder, this marks a fresh start after years in English football. Leaving the Premier League for Turkey is a bold step, but one that already looks promising.
His first game may not have delivered a goal or assist, but his presence was enough to earn the respect of teammates and fans alike.
As the season unfolds, eyes will be on how Ndidi settles into life in Istanbul.
