Ali Bilgin, a former Fenerbahçe player, has advised Nigerian defender Bright Osayi-Samuel to better control his emotions after receiving the first red card of his career during Fenerbahçe’s 2-1 win over Union Saint-Gilloise.
The match, which was Fenerbahçe’s opening game in the UEFA Europa League, took place at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on Thursday night.
Osayi-Samuel, who had just returned from an injury that sidelined him for four league matches, started the game as a substitute. He was brought on in the 65th minute to replace Mert Müldür, with Fenerbahçe holding a narrow lead.
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Although Osayi-Samuel made an immediate impact, his lack of discipline ultimately affected the game. His powerful shot inside the penalty area led to Fenerbahçe’s second goal, as Union SG goalkeeper Anthony Moris parried the ball, only for defender Christian Burgess to score an own goal, doubling Fenerbahçe’s advantage.
However, the Nigerian defender’s night took a downturn late in the game. In the 87th minute, he received a yellow card for time-wasting. Just minutes later, he committed a foul inside the penalty box, resulting in a red card and a penalty for Union SG. Ross James Sykes converted the penalty in stoppage time, but Fenerbahçe held on for the win.
Reflecting on the incident, Bilgin, 42, praised Osayi-Samuel’s importance to the team but stressed the need for better self-control. “It was great to see Osayi-Samuel back from injury, showing how valuable he is for the team. But receiving two yellow cards in just 20 minutes and getting sent off shows he needs to manage his emotions better,” Bilgin said, according to Yenimesaj.
Despite the red card, Osayi-Samuel’s return comes at a crucial time for both Fenerbahçe and Nigeria’s national team. Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen will be counting on the defender for Nigeria’s upcoming double-header against Libya, especially since Osayi-Samuel had missed recent matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda due to injury. His recovery provides a much-needed boost for the national squad ahead of these important fixtures.
