Farouk Miya comes of age

Often times, statistics and stand-out moments define good and average players.

If indeed both attributes are meant to provide an ideal measure of how valuable a player is to a particular club, it's safe to consider Farouk Miya an excellent addition at Turkish club Konyaspor.

It's less than a year since Miya joined Konyaspor, and yet the statistics already point to a player that is fast-establishing his cult hero status at Konya Buyuksehir Belediyesi Stadium.

In just 26 appearances in Turkey's top-flight league, Miya has scored six league goals and provided one assist across all competitions.

For an attacking midfielder, and battling for the top scorer's prize with established strikers such as Radamel Falcao (Galatasary), Papiss Cisse (Alanyaspor), Demba Ba (Instanbul Basaksehir), that is quite impressive.

It will not be long before his injury time winner against Rizespor last Sunday propels him to the first team.

And this is for two simple reasons. Konyaspor had not won a game in three games and the pressure had been building on manager Bulent Korkmaz.

With the game still goalless on 57 minutes, Korkmaz had to turn to what he trusted most -Miya.

The Ugandan midfielder was not only brought on for Levan Shengelia but was also entrusted with the most crucial penalty kick at the death that probably decided Korkmaz' fate.

Just as he had done with the Cranes before, Miya put it away, and leaving goalkeeper Tarik Cetin with no chance.

Over the years, Miya's goals and artistry have proved priceless for both club and country. His goals, a majority of which have been scored from deep-lying positions, have influenced the destiny of his clubs and national team.

His first touch, ability to move quickly with the ball from deep positions, acceleration and devastating ability to shoot from anywhere in and around the box are making him an ideal consideration for a Konyaspor team that depends so much on quick transitions.

Suffice it to say that Konyaspor's top flight status lies in the hands of the former Vipers, Standard Liege and Gorica star.

Konyaspor are struggling with relegation. Currently 14th in the 18-team league, with 30 points from 30 games, two places above the relegation zone. Miya could prove the difference yet again against Gaziantep on Thursday. 

Instanbul Basaksehir top the championship as giants Galatasary and Besiktas languish in fourth and fifth place respectively.

Trabzonspor striker Alexander Sorloth leads the top score's chart with 21 goals.