Super Eagles forward, Victor Osihmen, is expected to play a major role in a highly anticipated Europa League clash on Thursday, as Tottenham Hotspur heads to Istanbul with the aim of maintaining their unbeaten streak.
Awaiting them is Galatasaray, one of Turkey’s most storied clubs, who are strengthened this season by the arrival of Nigerian forward.
Osimhen, a pivotal figure in Napoli’s Serie A title-winning squad in 2023, joined Galatasaray on loan this September.
His exit from Napoli followed the arrival of former Tottenham manager Antonio Conte, who was appointed to rejuvenate the Italian champions but struggled to regain their title-winning momentum.
Though widely speculated to move to a European giant in the summer, Osimhen’s €130 million release clause proved a stumbling block for interested clubs. Instead, he agreed to a temporary switch to the Turkish champions, with no option for Galatasaray to secure him permanently after the loan ends.
Now 25, Osimhen is eager to reestablish himself outside the pressures of Serie A, using Turkey’s Super Lig and Europa League as a proving ground.
Galatasaray’s European journey this season has seen twists and turns, as they were forced to abandon their Champions League dreams following back-to-back losses to Swiss side Young Boys in August.
This setback relegated them to the Europa League, where they are now competing fiercely.
Osimhen has already showcased his skills in Istanbul, helping secure home wins against PAOK and Elfsborg, though a minor injury saw him miss an away draw with Latvia’s RFS.
Though he’s yet to score in European competition, Galatasaray’s offense hasn’t faltered, largely thanks to Mauro Icardi.
The former Inter Milan star leads the club’s scoring charts with six goals, followed by Yunus Akgun and Baris Yilmaz, two Turkish internationals who have each netted five times.
Domestically, Osimhen’s form has been explosive; he’s scored four goals in his last three league matches, including a crucial goal against Besiktas on October 28. His celebrations after this derby triumph were memorable, as he tore off his iconic face mask and sprinted to the corner flag, reveling in the crowd’s applause.
The Nigerian forward has already made his mark in another of Turkey’s biggest matchups – the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce, managed by the renowned Jose Mourinho, who was once Osimhen’s coach at Roma.
Ahead of the September 21 clash, Mourinho, known for his mind games, made waves by remarking on Osimhen’s perceived habit of embellishing fouls, “We share a good rapport, but when we face each other, I often address him as I disapprove of his diving antics,” Mourinho said in a televised interview.
Osimhen, alongside his strike partner Icardi, rose to the challenge in that game, leading Galatasaray to a resounding 3-1 victory on Fenerbahce’s home turf.
As Tottenham approaches, Osimhen’s partnership with Icardi, bolstered by seasoned players like Dries Mertens, Michy Batshuayi, and ex-Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez, presents perhaps the biggest challenge Ange Postecoglou’s side will face in this tournament thus far.
A win could see Galatasaray leapfrog Spurs in the Europa League standings, giving Osimhen and his teammates the perfect opportunity to solidify their standing in Europe and reinforce their determination to make a deep run this season.
