Galatasaray Manager Okan Buruk Applauds Victor Osimhen's Return After AFCON 2025
Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has extended a warm message to Victor Osimhen as the Super Eagles striker rejoins the Turkish club following his participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco. Osimhen played a pivotal role for Nigeria, contributing significantly to the team's bronze medal victory after a penalty shootout win against Egypt.
Osimhen's Impact at AFCON 2025 and Swift Return to Club Duties
During the tournament, Osimhen showcased his exceptional skills by scoring four goals and providing two assists, solidifying his status as a key player for the Nigerian national team. Despite not featuring in the third-place play-off match due to a minor injury sustained in the semi-final against Morocco, managed carefully by coach Eric Chelle, his overall performance was highly commendable.
Immediately after the victory over Egypt, Osimhen traveled to Nigeria to attend a social event in Lagos alongside teammates Wilfred Ndidi and Chidozie Awaziem. However, he promptly returned to Turkey to integrate with Galatasaray's squad in preparation for their upcoming UEFA Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid.
Okan Buruk's Praise for Osimhen's Commitment and Focus
In a statement to GS TV ahead of the crucial Champions League match, Okan Buruk expressed his admiration for Osimhen's professionalism and dedication. "Osimhen joined the squad yesterday and trained with us. He clearly showed his desire and concentration," Buruk remarked, highlighting the striker's positive attitude upon his return.
This development comes as a significant boost for Galatasaray, especially considering the team's struggles in the Champions League during Osimhen's absence. The Nigerian forward has participated in four out of six UCL matches this season, with the team securing three wins and suffering one loss in those games. In contrast, Galatasaray lost both matches he missed due to injury, underscoring his importance to the squad.
Galatasaray's Performance in Osimhen's Absence
Prior to departing for AFCON 2025, Osimhen's last appearance for Galatasaray was in a Turkish Super League match against Antalyaspor, which ended in a 4-1 victory for his club. During his time away, Galatasaray competed in six matches across various competitions:
- Turkish Cup: Wins against Istanbul Basaksehir and Fethiyespor in Group A.
- Turkish Super League: A victory over Kasimpasa and a draw with Gaziantep.
- Turkish Super Cup: A loss in the final against rivals Fenerbahce, as reported by Hurriyet.
Overall, the team recorded four wins, one draw, and one loss during this period. Following the Champions League encounter, Galatasaray will resume league action on Saturday, January 24, against Fatih Karagumruk. Currently, the club leads the league table, holding a one-point advantage over Fenerbahce.
Controversy Surrounding Nigeria's AFCON Campaign
In related news, former Super Eagles star Sunday Oliseh has criticized Osimhen, attributing Nigeria's failure to win the AFCON 2025 trophy to an alleged altercation between Osimhen and teammate Ademola Lookman. Oliseh suggested that this incident negatively affected team morale and momentum in the latter stages of the tournament, sparking debate among football enthusiasts.
As Osimhen reintegrates into Galatasaray's lineup, his return is eagerly anticipated by fans and analysts alike, with hopes that his form will propel the team to success in both domestic and European competitions.
