Senegalese striker Mbaye Diagne’s late penalty secures victory for Amedspor over Pendikspor

Amedspor claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory over Pendikspor in Turkey’s second division on Sunday, with Senegalese striker Mbaye Diagne once again proving decisive after converting a last-minute penalty.

In front of more than 33,000 supporters in Diyarbakir, the hosts delivered their third straight win, strengthening their momentum in what has been an impressive start to the campaign.

The match had been evenly contested, but it was Diagne’s composure from the spot in stoppage time that ultimately tipped the balance in Amedspor’s favour.

Diagne’s contribution was yet another highlight in what has quickly become a prolific spell for the 32-year-old. Fresh off a hat-trick in the previous round, the forward registered his fourth goal in just two appearances for his new side.

His arrival has given Amedspor a clinical edge in attack, with his consistency in front of goal already making him a central figure in their promotion ambitions.

The encounter itself was fiercely competitive, with Pendikspor pushing hard to frustrate the home team. Despite creating several opportunities, the visitors struggled to maintain their intensity in the closing stages, opening the door for Amedspor to capitalise.

The Diyarbakir side, cheered on by a passionate home crowd, grew in confidence as the game progressed and found a way through when it mattered most.

Beyond Diagne’s heroics, the evening also carried additional significance for Amedspor with the return of Cheikhou Kouyaté.

The Senegalese midfielder, formerly of Nottingham Forest and a key figure for his national team, stepped back onto the pitch for the first time since May 2024.

Introduced in added time, Kouyaté’s brief appearance was greeted with a warm ovation, underlining the respect and excitement surrounding his comeback.

While he had limited time to influence proceedings, his return adds both depth and experience to Mehmet Altiparmak’s squad.

The victory lifted Amedspor to fourth place in the league table, consolidating their position as one of the early contenders in the Turkish second tier.

For a club with aspirations of climbing higher, results such as this one against Pendikspor reinforce the belief that they can be competitive at the top end of the division.

Coach Altiparmak has overseen a steady transformation, instilling both resilience and attacking flair into the side.

With a strong run of form and high-profile players such as Diagne and Kouyaté in the ranks, Amedspor are positioning themselves as a serious force in this season’s competition.

Pendikspor, meanwhile, will view the defeat as a missed opportunity. Despite a disciplined display for much of the match, their inability to see out the final moments proved costly.

The setback leaves them searching for consistency in a campaign that has so far lacked the stability needed to challenge the league’s frontrunners.

For Amedspor, however, the night belonged to Diagne. His calm finish under pressure not only secured three valuable points but also confirmed his status as one of the most influential players in the division.

Combined with the emotional return of Kouyaté, the victory provided both a sporting boost and a symbolic lift for the Diyarbakir side as they continue their pursuit of promotion.