Why Super Eagles star may miss Trabzonspor v Besiktas tie

Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu faces the risk of suspension ahead of Trabzonspor’s Turkish Super Lig showdown with Wilfred Ndidi’s Besiktas.

The highly-rated Nigerian centre-back is approaching a crucial disciplinary threshold for Trabzonspor ahead of two crucial league games against Samsunspor and Besiktas.

The 22-year-old has become an important figure in Trabzonspor’s defensive setup since joining the club from Austria early in the year.

However, another booking could leave him unavailable for one of the club’s most anticipated fixtures of the campaign.

Super Eagles’ Nwaiwu faces booking threat before Besiktas derby

According to Turkish outlet Haber61, Trabzonspor have two players approaching suspension ahead of their derby against Besiktas. Nwaiwu, who nearly moved to the Premier League in the summer, is one of those players walking the disciplinary tightrope with Orkun Kökçü being the other.

Nwaiwu’s booking situation could prove particularly significant given the importance of the clash and the prospect of facing Super Eagles teammate and Besiktas midfield enforcer, Ndidi.

Under Turkish Super Lig disciplinary rules, players who accumulate four yellow cards in the league face a one-match suspension.

Consequently, with Nwaiwu on three league bookings already, another yellow card in Trabzonspor’s clash with Samsunspor, would rule him out of the Besiktas encounter.

The Super Eagles defender would be expected to maintain the aggression required to protect his defence without risking a booking that could cost him a place in the derby.

Nwaiwu has made six appearances in the Super Lig for Trabzonspor this season, providing an assist in the 5-0 home win over Genclerbirligi. He picked up his a booking in that encounter, adding it to the yellow cards already received against Amed SK and Basaksehir.

The 22-year-old, who has risen to become one of Nigeria’s most valuable defenders on the planet, has avoided a booking in each of Trabzonspor’s last two league matches against Konyaspor and champions Galatasaray.

He played all 90 minutes against Galatasaray, a game Trabzonspor powered to a 4-0 win.