Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk has suggested that Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen could be available for Thursday’s UEFA Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt, even if he has to play while managing discomfort.
Osimhen suffered an injury setback while away on international duty with Nigeria last week. The masked hitman sustained an ankle injury during the Super Eagles’ 1-0 win over Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
That injury kept him out of his country’s 1-1 draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa as well as Galatasaray’s 2-0 victory over Eyupspor on Saturday.
His absence has sparked doubts over his readiness for the high-stakes European encounter. However, Buruk sounded cautiously optimistic in his post-match press conference, revealing that the striker might recover in time to feature against the Bundesliga side.
“Osimhen’s condition will be determined within a few days,” he said in quotes revealed via the club’s official website.
“We’re hopeful he’ll play. We think he will, but of course, he’s in pain. We’ll see if he can tolerate that pain and play with it. We have a few days.”
Osimhen was the star of the show last season during his loan spell at RAMS Park as Galatasaray swept away domestic competition to secure the Turkish Super Lig crown as well as the Turkish Cup. He registered 41 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions while breaking several records both personally and at club level.
Galatasaray pulled out all the stops to sign the prolific Nigeria international from Napoli on a permanent basis this summer, driven largely by their ambition for UEFA Champions League success.
Buruk and the Lions will be hoping to have their talismanic striker fit and raring to go when the famous anthem of European football’s biggest competition rings out at the Deutsche Bank Park on Thursday, September 18.
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
