Galatasaray’s coach, Okan Buruk, has voiced his uncertainty regarding Victor Osimhen’s recovery after the Nigerian striker missed their UEFA Champions League opening match against Frankfurt on Thursday. The player, who sustained an injury during the international break while playing for Nigeria, was expected to be fit in time for the match but has not fully recovered.
Osimhen was forced off in the 35th minute of Nigeria’s September 6 clash against Rwanda, following a heavy challenge from Claude Niyomugabo. He has since been recovering at his club, but with no definitive timeline provided for his fitness. Despite hopes for his return, Buruk revealed that the player’s latest feedback from the medical team suggests otherwise.
“Osimhen’s hurt, you know. We didn’t play in the league game, so we had the hope of at least getting this game up,” Buruk shared before the match against Frankfurt. “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. Every player can play in every game; no matter what happens, they play.”
Buruk emphasized the importance of player health, mentioning that Osimhen, like all players, plays an active role in determining his availability. “Osimhen is also an actor in this character. We didn’t put him on the roster with his feedback, but of course, we have very important players,” he explained.
Osimhen, who scored an impressive 37 goals in 41 appearances for Galatasaray last season, was signed in a record €75m transfer from Napoli. His quick recovery is crucial for the Turkish giants, especially in their European campaign this season. The striker has already contributed two goals in three league matches this season.
