Super Eagles’ goal machine, Emmanuel Emenke, ended his goal drought as he fired Fenerbahce to their first win away over rivals, Besiktas, in the Istanbul derby on Sunday.
Fenerbahce started the game on the front foot and forced Besiktas into making passing mistakes.
The deadlock was broken in the third minute, with Emenike capping his return to the starting line up with a goal.
Olcay Sahan made matters worse for the home side after being sent off for a second yellow card offence on 43 minutes.
Besiktas were much improved in the second half following Josa Sosa’s introduction in place of Necip Uysal, who struggled playing out of position at right back.
The Black Eagles dominated possession despite being a man down and came close to finding the equaliser via Demba Ba.
Fenerbahce held firm during the second half and looked to hit Besiktas on the counter. The Yellow Caneries strategy came to fruition in the 86th minute when Moussa Sow fired home a well worked counter attack.
Fenerbahce have moved into pole position in the league following the victory while Besiktas have slipped into fourth place on 14 points.
Emenike is expected to replicate this form when the Super Eagles file out against Congo and South Africa in the Nations Cup qualifiers.