Osimhen returns with classy goal good for Puskas Award in Galatasaray win

Victor Osimhen came on as a 78th minute substitute and scored a classy goal in added time to see Galatasaray beat their host, Antalyaspor 3-0 in a Turkish Super Lig match week nine fixture played at theAntalya Stadyumu in Antalya.

The Nigerian was diagnosed with a muscle strain in the 3-3 draw with Kenneth Omeruo’s Kasimpasa after scoring two first half goals before the international break and the 25-year-old missed the Super Lig game against Alanyaspor and the Europa League game against Latvian side, FK RFS.

Osimhen also missed the Super Eagles 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game against Libya at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo, Nigeria and was not among the Nigerian players held hostage by the same Libya in the reverse fixture four days later.

The on loan forward has now returned to action to score his third goal in four appearances in the Super Lig. He has also provided two assists in the competition and another two in the Europa League to bring his total goal involvements so far this season to seven in five matches across all competitions.

The goal was hailed by fans and the Nigerian was asked about the goal.

‘I think the goal was perfect. It could have been nominated for the Puskas Award; it was a very classy goal. Why not?” he said.

Osimhen also congratulated the team and the gaffer for the victory.

‘Congratulations to the team. I also congratulate our teacher on his birthday and I present this win to him. I’m happy for this win. We weren’t that good in the first half, but we took the lead with Mauro’s goals.

‘We had a four day holiday and had a good rest. It was normal for my first goal to be cancelled, but it couldn’t be normal for my second goal to be cancelled,’ he said.

The Super Eagle will now be hoping to return to the starting line up when Galatasaray host Swedish side, Elfsborg in a Europa League tie at the Rams Global Stadyumu on Wednesday