Naija superstar striker Victor Osimhen don confirm say im go undergo surgery for im broken right forearm wey im get during Champions League match against Liverpool. Di injury happen for Anfield last Wednesday when im collide with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté for first half. Galatasaray medical team don cast di arm already, but further scan for Istanbul show say surgery na di best option.
Osimhen talk about di injury during livestream with influencer Carter Efe for Lagos, wey im reveal say im go dey out of action for about five to six weeks. “I need to go under di knife to fix am because my arm don break,” Osimhen yarn. “E go take maximum five to six weeks. Six weeks at most, and I go return to football. Most times, na four weeks, den two weeks for you to train alone before you join team.”
Di 27-year-old striker explain say im no even know di injury serious like dat initially. “When I try to run, di pain stop me completely—e feel like my arm wan fall off. I try to continue but I no fit manage am,” im add. Osimhen, wey still dey wear protective mask from previous facial injury, play down di latest setback by comparing am to im past health challenges. “I still get about 18 screws for my face from my previous operation, and I no even fit eat well for right side. Dis injury na small thing compared to wetin I don pass through.”
For di match wey cause di injury, Galatasaray lose 4-0 to Liverpool for Champions League round of 16 second leg, make dem exit di competition. Despite dis, Galatasaray still dey rely on Osimhen attacking prowess for dia pursuit of Super Lig and domestic cup titles. Osimhen don score 19 goals and provide seven assists for 29 appearances across all competitions dis season, help di club maintain four-point lead for Turkish league.
Di striker reveal say two Liverpool players—Dominik Szoboszlai and Ibrahima Konaté—don reach out to am after di match. “Szoboszlai and I talk for field. After game, im come meet me say im no know di injury serious like dat. Konaté also message me, say im no mean to harm me. Na football, these things dey happen,” Osimhen talk.
Osimhen don return to Nigeria ahead of di procedure and use di opportunity to thank Galatasaray for dia support. “Dem save me when I dey rock bottom. After I sign, even my pikin grow fonder of dem than of me. I go forever grateful to di club,” im yarn with emotion.
Di injury mean say Osimhen go miss key league fixtures for Galatasaray, including matches against Trabzonspor and Kocaelispor. Im now dey race against time to fit for di Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce wey go hold April 26. Turkish journalist Ali Naci Küçük report say di situation dey closely monitored, with possibility of early return depending on recovery progress.
Osimhen also share personal story about former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel during di livestream. Im recall how Mikel invite am to im room and give am money shortly after team meal during im early days with Super Eagles. “We finish eat, and im tell me make I follow am go im room immediately, and im give me money,” Osimhen yarn. Di striker talk about growing up for Lagos watching national team stars like Nwankwo Kanu, Jay-Jay Okocha, and John Obi Mikel before im join dem.
Osimhen and Mikel feature together briefly for Nigeria before di midfielder retire from international football for 2019. Di striker also praise former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo, describe am as “amazing human being, great football player, legend” wey make impact on im career.
Because of di injury, Osimhen don miss out on Nigeria 23-man squad for dis month friendly matches against Jordan and Iran wey go hold for Turkey. Di striker medical team dey monitor di fracture healing process with cast as best-case scenario, but surgery decision don finally take.
Galatasaray official statement after di Liverpool match confirm say: “For first half of our away match against Liverpool for Champions League round of 16 second leg, our player Victor Osimhen take blow to im arm and complete first half, but following checks at half-time, we no play am for second half due to risk of fracture for im arm. After match, under supervision of our medical team, examinations for hospital reveal fracture for our player right forearm, and we cast am. Decision regarding surgery go made for coming days following further evaluations.”
Now say surgery don confirm, all eyes dey on Osimhen recovery timeline as im work to return to pitch help Galatasaray challenge for domestic titles. Di Naija striker remain optimistic despite di setback, with im proven resilience from previous injuries likely to serve am well during rehabilitation process.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
