Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, failed to make a return from injury as they lost 4-0 to Trabzonspor on Saturday.
Osimhen trained separately from the rest of this team this week, raising hopes that he could feature in the fixture.
It was another African superstar, Mohamed Salah, who stamped his authority in the game.
Salah opened the scoring with a breakaway goal from an 80-metre run after just four minutes.
The Egyptian also played a big part in their two other first-half goals.
Salah teed up Noah Saviolo with a pinpoint pass across the penalty area and the winger swept back across goal, finishing a beautiful team move.
He then put Trabzonspor into cruise control just before the break with his sixth league goal of the season.
Salah completed his hat-trick with 10 minutes left, before Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk was sent off for a furious reaction.
Turkey: Osimhen missing as Salah-inspired Trabzonspor thrash Galatasaray 4-0