Ghana defender Jerome Opoku powered Basaksehir to a 2-1 victory over Boluspor with a crucial first-half opener in their Cup Group A clash in Istanbul.
Opoku broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute, rising highest in the box to head home and give Başakşehir early control at the BaÅŸakÅŸehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu.
The hosts looked comfortable after the goal, moving the ball confidently from the back with Opoku marshalling the defence and initiating attacks with his passing. Boluspor, however, struck back on the stroke of half-time when Arda Usluoglu finished clinically to level the contest at 1-1.
The second half saw BaÅŸakÅŸehir increase the tempo, pushing Boluspor deeper while limiting their threat to sporadic breaks. Their pressure was finally rewarded in the 84th minute as Nuno Da Costa netted the winner, sealing all three points and preserving Başakşehir’’s strong recent form in the competition.
Opoku’s goal and overall display underlined his growing influence, with the Ghanaian standing out in both boxes.
