Super Eagles defender Chibuike Nwaiwu has revealed the message from new Trabzonspor manager Thomas Reis that helped the team maintain its focus during Saturday’s 4-0 victory over Turkish champions Galatasaray.

Trabzonspor produced a commanding performance at Papara Park to hand Galatasaray their first defeat of the 2026/27 Turkish Süper Lig season.

Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick, finding the net in the fourth, 44th and 80th minutes, while Noah Saviolo added Trabzonspor’s second goal in the 39th minute.

Nwaiwu started at centre-back and played the full 90 minutes, also making an important defensive intervention in the 15th minute to stop Leroy Sané as Galatasaray looked for a response to Salah’s early goal.

Despite taking a 3-0 lead into half-time, Nwaiwu said the players were instructed to maintain their concentration because Galatasaray remained a dangerous opponent.

He said Reis urged the players to continue working hard, protect their advantage and look for further opportunities rather than reduce their intensity.

The defender said the team had endured a demanding week preparing for the fixture following the arrival of Reis, who was appointed only two days before the match after Fatih Tekke’s departure.

Nwaiwu praised the new manager and said the players had already responded positively to his methods.

He also dedicated the victory to Trabzonspor supporters, who he said continued to encourage the team throughout the match.

The result lifted Trabzonspor to 10 points from six league matches, leaving them fifth in the table and three points behind leaders Galatasaray.

Nwaiwu said the players must use the victory as a foundation for further improvement rather than become satisfied with one major result.

He expressed hope that the team would continue working under Reis and achieve more victories during the season.