Soccer
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen played all 90 minutes as Galatasaray fell to a painful 2-1 loss to Besiktas at the Tupras Stadium on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen returned to action at Galatasaray after a topsy-turvy international break that saw Nigeria pick four points from their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers fixture against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Osimhen scored all the goals for the Super Eagles in their 2-0 win and their 1-1 draw against the Warriors of Zimbabwe.
On his return to action for the Turkish champions, coach Orkan Buruk threw straight into the thick of the action as he led the line for the Lions in their cracker against Besiktas.
The opening embers of the game were drab, but Besiktas managed to get in front in the 23rd minute, courtesy of a goal from Rafa Silva.
After that goal, Besiktas the game was still balanced. But unfortunately for the reigning Super Lig kings, Przemyslaw Frankowski was sent off in the 36th minute after a bad foul. That incident put the game in Besiktas’ hands. But Galatasaray still eked out a goal through Lucas Torreira just before the break.
Osimhen was caged in the first half, but he was more lively in the second, as he had four goal attempts, albeit none of them troubled the goalkeeper.
Besiktas scored again in the 66th minute through Gedson Fernandes, and that was just enough to seal the 2-1 win for the Black Eagles.
The loss was just Galatasaray’s first this season, and it now puts them in a risky situation in their push to win a third consecutive Turkish Super Lig trophy.
Soccer Can Victor Osimhen still lead Galatasaray to silverware?
When Galatasaray brought in Victor Osimhen in the summer, the assignment was to win the Super Lig title and the Europa League trophy at most. But they were knocked out of the Europa League in the round of 16 playoffs.
Now, the only trophies that the Lions can win are the Super Lig and the Turkish Cup. Following their loss to Besiktas on Saturday, Galatasaray are now six points ahead of Fenerbahce, who have a game in hand.
If Fenerbahce win their outstanding game, it will put Galatasaray under pressure. Still, they have the quality and experience to pull it off.
Osimhen is no stranger to winning titles, as he did it with Napoli two years ago. Galatasaray will be banking on him to produce the goals in this home stretch of the season.
Kelvin Omachonu
Kelvin Omachonu is a writer with many years of experience covering sports events in Nigeria and abroad. He is fueled by his love for the job, and is dedicated to delivering captivating stories.
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