Tag: Osimhen

Nigeria forward, Victor Osimhen, is now officially the second-highest goal scorer for the Super Eagles following his first-half brace against Rwanda, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Super Eagles attacker opened the scoreline for Eric Chelle’s troops during their 2026 World Cup qualifying clash against the Wasps at the Amavubi Stadium.

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A cross from Ademola Lookman from the set piece was well met by the in-form Galatasaray forward, who slotted the goal past Ntwari Fiacre. At this point, he was at 24 goals, which surpassed Segun Odegbami’s long-standing 23-goal record.

The Super Eagles talisman, just a few minutes to the end of the first half, notched his 25th goal for the Nigeria national team when he received a ball from the midfield, drove it to the heart of Rwanda’s defence, and flicked it past the goalkeeper to extend Nigeria’s lead.

This officially makes Osimhen the second-highest goal scorer and brings him closer to Rashidi Yekini, who is leading the chart with 37 goals.

Former Chelsea star Claude Makelele has put forward the name of a striker he’d love to see playing at Stamford Bridge.

There has been a constant discussion about Chelsea and the centre-forward position for many years now. In reality, the Blues have never really replaced Diego Costa, who led the line with so much quality and aggression.

The expectation is that Chelsea will go big on a new striker when the summer transfer window comes around.

Nicolas Jackson, 23, has done a steady job as the Blues’ main striker in the past two seasons, scoring 26 goals in 68 appearances. It’s blatantly obvious that he needs more cover and competition at the top end of the pitch, though.

Read Also: Osimhen surpasses Odegbami as second-highest goal scorer for Super Eagles

But  Makelele, who played for Chelsea between 2003 and 2008, has suggested that his former club should try to sign Victor Osimhen in the summer.

 “He (Osimhen) is a finisher. I think for the way Chelsea play, they need this kind of striker to have a presence in the box… I think he will be the best option for Chelsea,” Makelele  reportedly told talkSPORT.

During a loan spell in Turkey with Galatasaray this season, he’s already scored 26 goals in 30 games across all competitions.

According to John Obi Mikel, Osimhen still wants to join Chelsea and the deal should be pretty straightforward to sort in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Chelsea contacted Osimhen’s representatives earlier in the season to insist they still have a desire to bring him  to West London.

If the Blues have the chance to pull this transfer move off, they should do everything to make it happen. We agree that he’s the type of clinical goal scorer in the penalty area that the current Chelsea side is desperately missing.

Didier Drogba went on to become a club icon after joining Chelsea at the age of 26 back in 2004. We’d love to see Osimhen follow in his footsteps two decades later.

Osimhen’s senior record at club level

Club	App	Goals	Assists
Wolfsburg	16	0	0
Lille	38	18	5
Charleroi	36	20	4
Napoli	133	76	12
Galatasaray	30	26	5

Galatasaray’s Vice President, Abdullah Kavukcu, has revealed that Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen will make a decision on his future next month. 

The Nigerian has been the subject of intense transfer speculation following his outstanding season for the Turkish Super Lig champions with 26 goals and five assists from just 30 games in all competitions.

Osimhen, currently on loan from Serie A side Napoli, has impressed in Turkey, prompting Galatasaray to push for a permanent deal however, they face stiff competition from European giants like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal.

 “Osimhen will inform us of his decision next month,” Kavukcu told journalist, Nevzat Dindar.”At the moment, five of the world’s biggest clubs are also interested in him.”

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He added: “In January, there were discussions about his departure, but he chose to stay. He loves Galatasaray very much.”

Kavukcu explained further that the focus would be to persuade Osimhen to commit his immediate future to Galatasaray but that the club’s immediate focus is to remain undaunted in their bid to win the Super Lig.

“Although our focus is on the title race, we haven’t had direct talks with Victor yet. There’s no point in discussing it now,” Kavukcu continued. “Galatasaray is a top club. If that weren’t the case, Victor wouldn’t have come here. Keeping him isn’t impossible.”

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is listed  in the WhoScored Super Lig Gameweek 27 Team of the Week after his impressive performance in Galatasaray’s 4-0 win over Antalyaspor last weekend.

Osimhen who scored a hat trick to seal a  comprehensive 4-0 win for Galatasaray.

The WhoScored Team of the Week features several top performers from the Super Lig including  Ugurcan Cakir (Trabzonspor) as goalkeeper, with Pedro Malheiro (Trabzonspor), Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray), Ugurcan Yazgili (Konyaspor), and Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas) in defense.

In the midfield, Gabriel Sara (Galatasaray), is paired with Bilal Boutobba (Hatayspor) and Baris Asper Yilmaz (Galatasaray) while Osimhen leads the attack alongside striking partner Alvaro Morata and Rey Manaj (Sivasspor).

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Osimhen’s impressive performance earned him a 9.79 rating, making him the highest-rated player in the team. His crucial role in Galatasaray’s 4-0 win highlights his importance to the Turkish League leaders as they pursue their 25th Super Lig title.

As the Super Eagles prepare to face Rwanda on March 21 and host Zimbabwe on March 25, Osimhen will aim to carry his club form to the national team, hoping to motivate his teammates as they seek to revive their World Cup qualification campaign.

In preparation for these matches, Osimhen and other Super Eagles players have already arrived in Kigali.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has stressed that Galatasaray have what it takes to win the Turkish Super Lig this season despite Sunday’s 3-3 draw against Kasimpasa.

Osimhen, who recorded his 22^nd goal of the season across 28 games in all competitions with a brace against Kasimpasa, pointed out that the drawn match was disappointing even as he praised his teammates for their efforts.

 “I would say disappointment,” Osimhen said  about the match. “That’s the best way to put it.”

He added:

“We fought against an effective opponent. I’m proud of my teammates for their efforts. Football is like that sometimes. This is a really tough league. You have to fight well from the first minute to the last minute. You can be punished very quickly.”

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Galatasaray remains at the top of the league with 65 points with just four points ahead of second-placed Fenerbahce and Osimhen remains confident in his side’s ability to reclaim their winning form.

 “We continue in the championship race. We have all the quality needed to win,” he added.

Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray during the winter transfer window, also emphasized his strong bond with his teammates and their shared determination to fight for success.

 “I love this team very much. I love my teammates very much, too. I want to do everything for success. I want to support them. I think my friends have the same mentality, it doesn’t matter if they are in the first 11 or on the bench, it is very important for everyone to fight together,” he said.

The  25-year-old is  now eager to help Galatasaray bounce back as they prepare to face Alanyaspor on Sunday, with the aim of securing all three points.

 “We will go into every match to get three  points and we are the biggest candidate for the championship,” Osimhen affirmed.

Meanwhile, Former Besiktas and Antalyaspor manager Sergen Yalçın has blamed Galatasaray wingers Baris Yılmaz and Roland Sallai for offering little support to Victor Osimhen this season, calling for their replacement.

Despite Yılmaz scoring 10 league goals, he has managed just one assist in 24 league appearances, while Sallai has contributed only one goal and no assists in 19 games. As Galatasaray’s starting wingers, both are expected to provide Osimhen with quality service, but that has been lacking.

Speaking after the game, former Galatasaray player and ex-Besiktas coach Sergen Yalçın did not hold back in his criticism, blaming the duo for failing to support Osimhen, who has been in outstanding form and capable of leading the team to the title.

 “The right-wing, the left wing—where are they?” Yalçın questioned. “It was said that these are very talented players, but where are they? No, no! You asked what Galatasaray should do at half-time, and I said they need a proper winger.”

The 52-year-old particularly called out their inefficiency in the crucial match against Kasimpasa, emphasizing that Galatasaray must reinforce their wings to maximize Osimhen’s potential.

Sanwo-Olu, Oshoala, Ahmed Musa, MTN  listed

Super  Eagles trio of  Victor Osimhen  (Galatasaray) ,  Ademola Lookman (Atalanta) , William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood)  as  well as  billionaire businessman, Kunle Soname, and  Ahmed Musa top the list of nominees with more than one  entries  as organisers  yesterday revealed the  identities of contenders   across  18 categories for the  11^th edition of the  Nigeria Pitch Awards.

Yesterday’s  unveiling ceremony held at the Bon Hotel in Lagos, was witnessed  by the Director of Communications  of  Nigeria Football  Federation (NFF) , Dr. Ademola Olajire  who stood in for the federation’s President Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau along  with  notable  senior sports editors led by Mr. Tony Ubani of the Vanguard  as well as a  representative of SIAO Partners, the audit firm in charge of the collating of the awards.

Regarded as  the flagship individual’s  recognition awards in Nigerian football, the 2024 Pitch Awards  will see  Osimhen, Ademola  and Troost-Ekong  battle  for  the ultimate  King of The Pitch Award even as  Osimhen and Ademola  contend with  Leverkusen’s  Victor Boniface for  the Striker of the Year Award.

Troost-Ekong , in the meantime,  is also on the shortlist of three for the Defender of The Year  along with English Premiership duo of Ola Aina  (Nottingham Forest) and  Calvin Bassey (Fulham).

Aside the  Super Eagles’  triumvirate,  the owner of Remo Stars, Soname along with ex-Super Eagles  captain, Ahmed Musa,  are both listed for the Sam Okwaraji Award and Sportsmanship Award.

Soname’s  interest is further extended as his Remo Stars FC and Remo Stars Stadium are equally in the running for the  Team of the Year  and Pitch of the Year Awards  while his Bet9Ja outfit,  will also slug it out for the Corporate Sponsor Of Football Award along with GTI Financial  and telecom giants, MTN.

For  the Football Friendly Governor of The Year , it would be  battle royale among Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as well as  Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State and former Edo State  Governor, Godwin Obaseki 

President  of the Pitch Awards,  Shina Philips, said at yesterday’s   ceremony that  the awards  would not have stood the test of time  without the support of stakeholders  especially the NFF, the College of Voters and  the media in particular.

 “We recognise the invaluable role of the Nigeria media from whom we have enjoyed tremendous support,” Philips said. “Right from inception in 2012, sport editors, correspondents, reporters and pundits have demonstrated outstanding faith in the Nigeria Pitch Awards.”
He added: “We have also benefited from the support of the President, Management Team and staff of the Nigeria Football Federation. The Nigeria Pitch Awards has been in partnership with the Federation from its very first edition in Calabar in November 2013.

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“I am pleased to state that the collaboration has continued to grow stronger by the years.

“The presence of the Federation’s Director of Communication is a testament to the Federation’s unflinching support for the Awards and its commitment to the development of the game in the country.”

For the upcoming 11^th edition of  the Pitch Awards, five-time Women’s African Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC) will fight for the Queen  of the Pitch Award with  Super Falcons’ captain Rasheedat Ajibade  (Atlético de Madrid Femenino )  and  two-time CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Chiamaka Nnadozie(Paris FC) 

NIGERIA PITCH AWARDS: NOMINEES FOR 2024 EDITION

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR 

Maduka Okoye                                                                 Udinese Calcio

Stanley Nwabali                                                                Chippa United

Kayode Bankole                                                               Remo Stars

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR

Ola Aina                                                                               Nottingham

William Troost-Ekong                                                     Al-Kholood

Calvin Bassey                                                                     Fulham

MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR 

Alex Iwobi                                                                           Fulham   

Frank Onyeka                                                                    FC Augsburg

Wilfred Ndidi                                                                     Leicester City

STRIKER OF THE YEAR 

Victor Osimhen                                                                 Galatasaray

Victor Boniface                                                                 Leverkusen

Ademola Lookman                                          `               Atalanta

TEAM OF THE YEAR 

Remo Stars    

Rangers

Edo Queens    

COACH OF THE YEAR 

Moses Adukwu                                                                                Edo Queens

Fidelis Ilechukwu                                                             Rangers

Daniel Ogunmodede                                                      Remo Stars

SAM OKWARAJI AWARD 

Segun Odegbami                                                             Nigerian Ex-International

Ahmed Musa                                                                     Kano Pillars

Kunle Soname                                                                   Bet9ja 

STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 

Edo

Lagos

Delta

FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR 

Remo Stars Stadium                                        Remo, Ogun State

Mobolaji Johnson Sport Arena                                    Onikan, Lagos State 

Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium                   Uyo, Akwa Ibom State 

FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR 

His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu                         Lagos State 

His Excellency, Umo Eno                                               Akwa Ibom State

His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki                                Former Governor, Edo State 

CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD 

GTI Financial                                                                       Financial Services 

MTN Nigeria                                                                       Telecom

Bet9ja                                                                                   Sport Betting 

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD 

George Aluo                                                                                      Chairman NNL

Hon. Kunle Soname                                                        Chairman, Remo Stars

Ahmed Musa                                                                     Kano Pillars FC    

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT 

Charles Diya                                                       New Telegraph 

Abiodun Adewale                                            Punch Newspapers

Johnny Edward                                                 The Nation Newspapers 

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV 

Mozez Praiz                                                        Supersport

Blessing Nwosu                                                                Silverbird TV

Cecilia Omorogbe                                            Channels TV 

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO

Micheal Obasi                                                                    Hot FM Abuja

Chuma Nnoli                                                                      Nigeria Info FM 

Olawale Adigun                                                                Mainland FM

Anthony Bekederemo                                                                   Brila 88.9 FM 

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ONLINE 

Niyi Busari                                                                           BSN Sports Concept 

Samuel Ahmadu                                                               Savid News

Kunle Solaja                                                                       Sports Village Square

QUEEN OF THE PITCH 

Rasheedat Ajibade                                          Atlético de Madrid Femenino 

Asisat Oshoala                                                                   Bay FC  

Chiamaka Nnadozie                                                        Paris FC 

KING OF THE PITCH 

Victor Osimhen                                                                 Galatasaray

Ademola Lookman                                                          Atalanta

William Troost-Ekong                                                     Al-Kholood