Naija striker Victor Osimhen don land Istanbul for Turkey on Sunday night ahead of important medical scan wey go happen on Monday. Dis na afta im suffer arm fracture during UEFA Champions League match against Liverpool last week. Galatasaray, im club, confirm say di injury happen during di first half of di match at Anfield wen Ibrahima Konaté tackle am.
According to Turkish outlet Forza Cimbom, “Victor Osimhen dey arrive Istanbul tonight (Sunday). Following tomorrow’s (Monday’s) check-up, planning for surgery go dey on di agenda depending on di fracture condition.” Di club official statement say afta di match, hospital examination show say Osimhen get fracture for im right forearm and dem cast am. Dem go decide about surgery for di coming days afta more evaluations.
Turkish journalist Ali Naci Küçük talk say di club dey cautious about di situation. “Di fracture healing with di cast na di best-case scenario wey dem dey hope for. Di issue of Osimhen surgery go dey evaluated next week,” im talk. Osimhen, wey be 27 years old, fit dey out of action for up to five months, wey be big wahala for Galatasaray as dem dey chase Turkish Süper Lig title and domestic cup success dis season.
Osimhen don be central to Galatasaray push dis season, as im don score 19 goals and give 7 assists for 29 matches. For Champions League before dem exit, im score 7 goals and give 3 assists for 10 appearances. Di injury mean say Osimhen no go play for Nigeria Super Eagles upcoming friendly matches against Jordan and Iran for Turkey as im dey focus on recovery.
Di Super Eagles of Nigeria go face Persian Lions of Iran and Al Nashama of Jordan for international friendly matches. Di three-time AFCON winners go participate for four-nation tournament wey go hold for Antalya, Turkey. Nigeria go play Iran for Antalya on Friday, March 27, before facing Jordan on Tuesday, March 31.
Jordan recently qualify for dia first-ever FIFA World Cup afta 3-0 victory over Oman for AFC qualification round. Without Osimhen, attention go shift to other Super Eagles players like Ademola Lookman wey dey play for Atletico Madrid. Lookman, wey be 2024 CAF Player of di Year, don make immediate impact for Atletico Madrid since im join dem, scoring against Real Betis for Copa del Rey and helping di team beat Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate for semifinal.
Other players wey fit make impact for Super Eagles include Paul Onuachu wey dey play for Trabzonspor. Onuachu don score 21 league goals dis season, wey put am among top scorers for Turkey. Maduka Okoye, di goalkeeper wey dey play for Udinese, don return to Super Eagles setup afta im reportedly pull out of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Alex Iwobi of Fulham FC remain key figure for Super Eagles midfield.
Meanwhile, Osimhen recently talk about im hustler mentality during Twitch live session with Nigerian entertainer Carter Efe. Im talk say, “Di way I hustle hard back for di trenches, even if I no make am for football, I for still make money like crazy.” Im attribute im achievements to discipline, mental fortitude, and strong work ethic.
When dem ask am about whether footballers or musicians dey earn more money, Osimhen talk say, “I no like indulge for such conversations, but footballers get money oh — I no go whine you. Look at all wetin I don get at di age of 27.” Im comments don generate buzz online with many people praising im candour and self-belief.
Di injury to Osimhen come as big blow to both Galatasaray and Super Eagles. For Galatasaray, dem go miss im goal-scoring ability as dem dey push for titles. For Super Eagles, im absence mean other players get opportunity to shine for di friendly matches against Iran and Jordan. Medical team go monitor im recovery closely to ensure im return to full fitness.
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