Fenerbahçe Cup Tie Delayed After Stadium Power Failure in Gaziantep
Aboard a special flight, fenerbahçe arrived in Gaziantep for a Ziraat Türkiye Kupası match scheduled for 20: 30 local time (12: 30 ET) on 4 March 2026. During pre-match preparations at Gaziantep Büyükşehir Stadyumu a power failure left the stadium lights out and players and officials in dressing rooms, forcing a roughly one-hour delay. Organizers restored power, players resumed warm-up, and the match was set to kick off at 21: 30 local time (13: 30 ET).
Fenerbahçe squad and absences
The fenerbahçe matchday list named Mert Günok, Mert Müldür, Guendouzi, Yiğit Efe, Brown, Levent, Fred, Kante, Musaba, Kerem and Cherif. Marco Asensio and goalkeeper Ederson were not included in the traveling squad because of pain, a decision made by the club’s technical and medical staff to avoid risk ahead of coming fixtures. Captain Milan Skriniar travelled with the group despite carrying an ongoing issue; coach Domenico Tedesco did not join the delegation because his illness continued.
Stadium outage and kickoff timeline
At Gaziantep Büyükşehir Stadyumu a failure affecting the stadium lighting — reportedly also preventing generator backup from taking over — left players and the referee in dressing rooms and put the scheduled 20: 30 local kickoff at risk. Ground crews worked on the main feed to the stadium lights and, after restoration, both teams returned to the field to warm up. The match was moved roughly one hour later and preparations continued toward a 21: 30 local (13: 30 ET) start under repaired lighting.
Reactions from club figures and officials
Ertan Torunoğulları, speaking to press in Gaziantep about the coach’s condition, said: “Hocamızın rahatsızlığı devam ediyor ama hafta sonu oynanacak maça yetişiyor. İnşallah sağlıklı bir şekilde aramızda olacak. ” The squad list and matchday decisions were confirmed in team announcements that also noted the referee for the fixture as Adnan Deniz Kayatepe. Club staff emphasized squad management under a congested schedule and the need to protect players carrying niggles.
Club commentary ahead of the game stressed fixture congestion and injuries in the wider season context: several key players were listed as sidelined with long-term problems, and the technical team flagged limited options for rotation. The visiting delegation used a special aircraft to travel to Gaziantep, then moved by team bus to the team hotel; the technical director remained absent from the traveling party due to his ongoing ailment.
What happens next
With power restored and the fixture pushed to a roughly 21: 30 local (13: 30 ET) kickoff, match action was set to proceed once officials completed final checks. The club will reassess Marco Asensio and Ederson ahead of upcoming matches, and medical updates on the coach’s condition are expected before the weekend — the club expressed hope he will be available for the next game. Fenerbahçe officials have framed the immediate priority as completing the cup fixture and then managing recovery and squad selection in the congested calendar.
