Injury mars Peter Etebo’s joy as 5-star Gençlerbirliği secure Super Lig promotion in style

Peter Oghenekaro Etebo’s return to the Turkish top flight was marked by mixed emotions as Gençlerbirliği thrashed Yeni Malatyaspor 5-0 to clinch promotion to the Super Lig — but the Nigerian midfielder hobbled off injured in the first half, Footynaija.com reports.

Saturday’s emphatic win on the road capped a remarkable late-season surge by Gençlerbirliği, who leapfrogged Fatih Karagümrük to secure second place in the TFF First League and an automatic promotion spot behind champions Kocaelispor.

Gençlerbirliği earned 68 points from 38 games, thanks in part to a three-game winning run to end the season — seeing off Adanaspor, Sakaryaspor, and Malatyaspor with convincing displays.

Etebo, 29, started the match and was instrumental in helping the Red and Black control the midfield early on.

However, the Super Eagles international was forced off in the 41st minute after picking up an injury, replaced by Rahman Çağıran with Gençlerbirliği already two goals ahead courtesy of a quick-fire brace from Romanian forward Daniel Popa.

Despite Etebo’s early exit, the Ankara-based side cruised through the second half with three more goals to seal a 5-0 win and spark wild celebrations among players and fans.

It was a bittersweet moment for Etebo, who has endured a turbulent few years. Once a promising star at Stoke City, the midfielder found himself out of favour and spent loan spells at Getafe, Galatasaray, Watford, and Aris before joining Gençlerbirliği as a free agent last summer.

His arrival proved to be a turning point for the club, which had been stuck in the second tier since their relegation from the Super Lig at the end of the 2017–18 season. Etebo featured in 26 league matches this campaign, providing leadership and consistency in midfield.

While the extent of his injury is yet to be determined, Etebo will be hopeful of recovering in time to contribute in Gençlerbirliği’s return to the Turkish elite next season.

The Nigerian is no stranger to the Super Lig, having made 24 appearances for Galatasaray during the 2020-21 season when the Istanbul giants narrowly missed out on the league title.