Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu was left frustrated after his disallowed goal in Trabzonspor’s 1-0 defeat to Fenerbahce on Sunday sparked controversy in the Turkish Super Lig.

Onuachu thought he had put Trabzonspor in front in the 11th minute, rising above former Inter defender Milan Skriniar to head home. However, after a VAR check, referee Ozan Ergün was instructed to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor. He ultimately chalked off the goal, citing a foul in the build-up.

The Nigerian international’s protests earned him a yellow card for dissent, and his anger was still evident after the match.

“It’s a shame for the Turkish league! They have to do better,” Onuachu fumed while walking through the tunnel.

The decision proved pivotal, as Trabzonspor failed to recover and Fenerbahce’s slender lead held until the final whistle.

Opinion: VAR – Friend or Foe?

Onuachu’s outburst reflects a broader frustration many players, managers, and fans share about VAR’s growing influence on the game. While the technology was introduced to ensure fairness, its application often feels inconsistent, leaving room for anger and distrust.

In this case, what looked like a fair aerial duel was turned into a foul by slow-motion scrutiny—raising the question: is football losing its essence to over-analysis?

For players like Onuachu, whose game thrives on physical duels and decisive moments, such rulings not only rob them of goals but also undermine confidence. And for leagues like Turkey’s, controversial calls risk overshadowing the very quality they’re trying to showcase to the world.

Yes, VAR has its place, but football remains a game of moments. The more those moments are swallowed by endless replays and subjective judgments, the more fans and players alike are left feeling cheated rather than reassured.

Onuachu’s frustration is not just about one disallowed goal—it’s about a sport at a crossroads, torn between precision and passion.