Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen is expected to make his return to action when Galatasaray face Liverpool in the Champions League on September 30, after being sidelined for the remainder of the month due to the ankle injury he sustained on international duty with Nigeria.
The Super Eagles striker has been out of action for two weeks following the injury picked up during Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda on September 6, when he was forced off in the 35th minute after a challenge from Claude Niyomugabo.
According to a report by Fanatik, via Hurriyet, Osimhen is expected to miss Galatasaray’s next two Super Lig fixtures against Konyaspor and Alanyaspor but should be fit for the high-profile Champions League encounter against Arne Slot’s Liverpool at Rams Park.
The 26-year-old already missed Galatasaray’s victory over Eyupspor and was absent from the squad that suffered a disappointing 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in their Champions League opener on Thursday.
Initially, Osimhen’s injury appeared to be a minor knock as he was able to walk off the pitch unaided during the Rwanda match, but the layoff has proven more serious than first anticipated.
Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk had previously expressed uncertainty over the striker’s return date, revealing that the player’s feedback from training sessions indicated he was not ready to feature.
“Osimhen’s hurt, you know. He didn’t play in the league game, so we had the hope of at least getting this game up,” Buruk said before the Frankfurt match.
“He tried in practice for the last two days, but the feedback from him is not enough to play right now. That’s what we talked about with our paramedics. The health of our players is very important to us.”
Osimhen’s return will be crucial for Galatasaray’s European ambitions, particularly against a Liverpool side that will pose a significant test of their Champions League credentials.
The Nigeria international, who joined Galatasaray in a record €75m summer transfer from Napoli, scored an impressive 37 goals in 41 matches for the Turkish champions last season.
He has made three league appearances this campaign, finding the net twice before the international break that led to his current injury setback.
While Galatasaray are likely to cope without their star striker in their upcoming domestic fixtures, Osimhen’s presence will be vital if they are to compete with Liverpool and bounce back from their heavy defeat to Frankfurt.
Credit: punchng.com
