Tag: Victor Osimhen

Just like they cemented their names in the hearts of their fans in the midweek Europa League games, Victor Osimhen and Cyriel Dessers were both on the score sheets again to help their teams secure valuable home wins in Turkey and Scotland respectively.

Osimhen fired a brace midweek to ensure that Galatasaray defeat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in the Europa League tie and he repeated it again yesterday as his Istanbul-based club beat Samsunspor 3-2 in a Super Lig tie.

Osimhen scored in the third and 55^th  minutes while Bishy Batshuayi made it their goals in the 85th minute. The Nigerian was on for 82 minutes before he was replaced by Moroccan International Hakimi Ziyech.

The win has lifted Galatasaray to 31 points from 11 games and are still top of the Super Lig with five points. Osimhen has played in just six league games but has had eight goals involvement including six goals and two assists.

In another Turkish Super Lig tie, Fenebache with Bright Osayi Samuel featuring in his fifth game of the season in the league walloped Sivasspor 4-0. The win has lifted Fener to the second spot with 26 points from 11 games.

In Scotland, Cyriel Dessers was on fire again for Rangers who edged Hearts 1-0 to move to the third spot with 22 points from 11 games.

Dessers struck his fourth goal of the Scottish Premiership season in the sixth minute and was substituted in the 78th minute. Dessers’ compatriot, Leon Balogun was available for Rangers as well.

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In England, Super Eagles duo of Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi both played for Nottingham Forest who were beaten 3-1 at home by Newcastle United.

Awoniyi who has been sparingly used by the Reds this season came on in the 88^th  minute for his eighth game of the season while Aina played his 11^th game of the season from the start to finish.

The defeat sees Nottingham Forest slipping to the fifth spot with 19 points from 11 games.

In another EPL cracker, Ruud van Nistelrooy led Manchester United thrashed Leicester City 3-0 at the Old Trafford with the Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi playing for 70 minutes for the Foxes before he was replaced.

In Italy, Ademola Lookman could not add to his six goals and four assists in the Serie A but Atalanta came back from a goal down to beat Maduka Okoye’s Udinese 2-1. It was Lookman’s nine games of the season in the league alone and the victory ensure they keep their second spot with 25 points while Udinese dropped to the ninth spot with 16 points from 12 games.

AS Monza unimpressive season continued with another 1-0 home loss to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s SS Lazio. Dele- Bashiru was an unused substitute and could not add to his four goals played in the league. Lazio as a result of the three away points are now fourth with 25 points from 12 games.

In Germany, Frank Onyeka played his eighth game of the season in Augsburg’s goalless draw at home to Hoffenheim which paraded Super Eagles defender, Kevin Akpoguma. It was Akpoguma’s ninth game and he earned his third yellow card of the season in the game in the 87th minute.

In France, OGC Nice continued to struggle without their Nigerian talisman, Terem Moffi who is currently out injured after they were held to another 2-2 draw at home by Lille.

In another game, Montpellier ended their winless streak with a 3-1 victory over Brest. Akor Adams fired blank in the encounter before he was substituted in the game. Adams has played in 11 games with three goals and one assist.

In Belgium, Tolu Arokodare’s Genk who are dictating the pace in the Jupiler League were surprisingly beaten 4-0 by Union Saint Gilloise.

Arokodare was unable to add to his eight league goals in 14 games but Genk are still in charge of the table with 31 points from 14 games.

In Holland, Hamdi Akujobi’s Almere City were crushed 4-1 at home by Feyenoord while Chuba Akpom’s Ajax held FC Twente to a 2-2 draw away.

Super Eagles camp opens in Abidjan

Super  Eagles talismanic  striker Victor Osimhen  has yet fired a  warning shot  to  The Cheetahs of Benin  ahead  of Thursday’s  2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D Matchday qualifier by grabbing a brace as his Galatasaray side defeated Samsunspor 3-2.

Another brace in the week 12  match, means  the Nigerian International  has found the net in four consecutive Super League matches. The 25-year-old centre forward, who was surprisingly loaned from Italy’s Napoli at the beginning of the season, has scored a total of  six goals in  four  of the last five  official matches until the Samsunspor match.

Osimhen, who scored  two  goals against Kasımpaşa and one  goal each against Onvo Antalyaspor and Beşiktaş in the back-to-back matches he played in the Super League, did not leave Samsunspor unattended either.

Osimhen who was  among the goals  when  the  Super Eagles thrashed   the Beninese national team  3-0 in Uyo  on Matchday 3 last September , now has an impressive six goals in the Turkish league as well as  two goals in  the Europa League following his  brace against  Tottenham Hotspurs last Thursday.

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Yesterday, Osimhen  gave Galatasaray a first  half lead in the third  minute of the encounter and scored his second goal midway into the second half in the 55^th minute.

Meanwhile, the Super  Eagles’ camp  opened yesterday in Abidjan with the full compliments  of  the  coaching crew and backroom staff.

The Team Media Officer, Promise Efoghe , informed  that interim coach Austin Eguavoen  and his  two assistants Fidelis Ilechukwu  and Daniel Ogunmodede as well as other  officials  arrived the Ivorian capital yesterday.

He  further said  that  Super Eagles stars  are expected from last night  while a full house  should be in place tomorrow  ahead of Thursday’s showdown against The Cheetahs being coached by  former Nigeria technical adviser, German coach Gernot Rohr.

Former Besiktas and Turkey  midfielder, Sergen Yalçın has praised Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, rating him above Moroccan forward, Youssef En-Nesyri.

Osimhen joined Okan Buruk’s side on loan from Napoli two months ago, and has quickly grown into a fan favourite at the RAMS Park. His scintillating performance has seen the fans cry out to the board to sign the Nigerian forward permanently.

Speaking about the disparity between Galatasaray and other clubs in the Turkish Super Lig, Yalcin, highlighted the impact the Napoli loanee makes, rating him above  En-Nesyri and Italian striker, Ciro Immobile.

 “Galatasaray has Osimhen, he is undoubtedly the best centre forward in Turkey. Davidson (Sánchez) is the best defender. Torreira is the best midfielder. A player named Sara came, it’s like he’s been playing for Galatasaray for 10 years. Kerem left, this time Yunus came up.

“Other clubs don’t have the quality in attack. The centre forwards are very weak. Can they receive the balls like Osimhen? The guy is aggressive, he gets into duels and wins. Immobile is not like that. He may be a good goal scorer but he is not in the team game.

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“You give 18 million to En-Nesyri, but you cannot say, ‘This money will be given, he will save this team, he will score many goals,’ but you say this for Osimhen in the air.

“If you are going to get a centre forward, it will be without hesitation. Fenerbahce will definitely need a centre forward; there are serious problems,” the 51-year-old told Ekol TV as per Soccernet.

Osimhen has led Galatasaray to the top of the Turkish Super Lig, five points above Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce while Besiktas sit in fourth place.

Galatasaray have set a €50m maximum limit to purchase Victor Osimhen in January according to Turkish website Sozcu, but the Nigeria international has a €75m clause.

Osimhen is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, but the Turkish side do not have an option to make his move permanent.

The striker’s release clause was cut to €75m when he completed a temporary transfer to Galatasaray in September, but according to Turkish media Sozcu, Gala can’t afford to offer as much to sign the Napoli loanee.

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According to the report, club directors can reach €50m thanks to a sponsor. The plan is to sign Osimhen in the January transfer window to beat other suitors, such as Chelsea.

The Blues were in talks with Osimhen and Napoli in August but failed to complete the deal, so Osimhen joined Galatasaray on loan after the end of the summer transfer window for the top European Leagues and the Saudi Pro League.

Osimhen recently reiterated that he would not leave Galatasaray before the end of the season.

Italian sources claimed that Osimhen’s clause for the January transfer window is €90m, although Galatasaray can get him for a lower fee.

Turkish champions Galatasaray have made an official statement on the wearing of the now famous facial mask won by Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen by fans.

Galatasaray announced that fans will not be allowed to wear masks at the stadium during matches for their safety as well as by sports law.

“The iconic mask of the great Galatasaray player, Victor Osimhen, continues to attract great attention at GSStore! We would like to thank you for the great interest you have shown in our mask and would like to make an important reminder for a safe match enjoyment,” the statement said.

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“We would like to inform you that masks will not be allowed into the stadium on match days by the sports law and we kindly request that this rule be taken into consideration in terms of compliance with the stadium rules.

“We strongly recommend that you take the necessary precautions for your safety and compliance with the stadium rules. We wish you enjoyable and safe match days.”

• Striker  not listed for tonight’s Europa League game

 Super Eagles coach Austine Eguavoen  will have to do without  ace striker Victor Osimhen  for the forthcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON)  qualifiers against  the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

The Super Eagles will host the visiting North Africans on October 11 in Uyo before both teams clash again four days later in Benina, some 19 kilometres outside the country’s second city, Benghazi.

But reports emanating from Italy  claimed that Napoli-owned  Osimhen is expected to be out of action for around six weeks after suffering a thigh strain while on loan at Galatasaray.

He scored his first goals for Galatasaray at the weekend, bagging a brace in the 3-3 draw with Kasimpasa. However, the Nigeria international also left the field at half-time with a muscular problem and it would seem to be more serious than previously thought.

According to the latest reports, Osimhen has a significant thigh strain in his left leg and is expected to be out of action for four to six weeks.

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Meanwhile, Osimhen will not feature for Galatasaray in the  UEFA Europa League clash at Latvian club Rigas FS as he was left out of the Turkish Champions’ travel party.

In a related development, transfer  expert  Fabrizio Romano  believes  the much speculated Osimhen’s  future move to Chelsea in the English Premier League(EPL) might not see the light of the day after all.

Speaking to The Debrief, Romano  said  the depth of striking talents currently  at the disposal  of coach Enzo Maresca with both Cole Palmer and Nicholas Jackson, means a  bid for Osimhen is not guaranteed.

“In January, I don’t think it’s (Osimhen to Chelsea)  guaranteed,” Romano  reportedly told The Debrief.

 “ In this moment, Chelsea are very happy with what they see, very happy also with the balance they see in the dressing room, also in terms of relationships, then the performances on the pitch have been excellent so far.

“So in this moment, Chelsea are not be desperate to bring in a new striker in January,” he added.

Galatasaray dismiss January move for Nigerian ace 

Nigeria International  striker Victor Osimhen has made headlines once again with his recent comments about his market value and experiences at his new club, Galatasaray.

 In an interview with the club’s official channels, Osimhen addressed the €100 million price tag that has been associated with him and shared his thoughts on his new teammates.

Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray in the final days of the transfer window, expressed confidence in his abilities and worth.

 “In my opinion, I’m worth more than 100 million because there are few players who have characteristics and success like mine in modern football,” he stated.

 The former Napoli star acknowledged that while some might disagree with such a valuation, he understands that everyone is entitled to their opinion.

The striker also spoke positively about his transition to Turkish football and life in Istanbul. “Istanbul is a crazy city with incredible fans. I’m very happy,” Osimhen remarked, highlighting his satisfaction with the move.

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Discussing his new teammates, Osimhen mentioned his relationship with Dries Mertens, saying, “I’ve spent a lot of time with Mertens, he’s incredible. He always manages to motivate me, and both he and his family are very important to me.”

When asked about fellow striker Mauro Icardi, Osimhen showed respect for his new teammate’s status at the club. “I’ve known Icardi for a long time, and here he’s a legend. He will help us a lot with his goals and assists,” he commented.

Meanwhile, a top official of Galatasaray  has dismissed   speculations  about possibility of Osimhen leaving the club in the January Transfer Window. 

Galatasaray’s  deputy vice Chairman Ibrahim Hatipoglu said the Nigerian ace striker  is not going anywhere in January.

“Osimhen’s departure in January is out of the question. He will be with us until June; in fact, we are planning for him to be in our team in the following seasons as well,” the top Galatasaray official told Radyspor