Turkish Super Lig: Simon Banza moves up the scoring charts with a brace
- Andrew Olsson
- Feb 23
- 1 min read
There are few strikers in European football who have been as prolific as DR Congo national team striker Simon Banza, who continues to light up the scoring charts at Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super Lig.
The French-born former Braga star, on loan from the Portuguese club to Trabzonspor, was at it again on Sunday with two goals in a 3-2 victory over Gaziantep. Banza struck the first of two Trabzonspor goals in first half stoppage time, reacting quickly to finish from close range.
Edin Visca also struck in stoppage time to leave hosts Trabzonspor ahead 2-0 at the half. Close to the hour mark, Banza added his second when Visca's cross was deflected right to the goal poacher for a finish into an empty net.
Gaziantep made a late push and pulled two goals back but Trabzonspor held on to move into 8th place on the table. Accustomed to finishing high on the table in recent years, including a title following the 2021-22 season, this campaign has been a bit more inconsistent and frustrating for the club based on the Black Sea coast.
Banza now has sixteen goals, leaving him second on the scoring chart two goals behind Polish marksman Krzysztof Piatek. Morocco's Youssef En-Nesyri (15 goals) and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen (14 goals) follow closely behind. Banza and Trabzonspor are next in action on Wednesday when they host Rizespor in the group stage of the Turkish Cup.