Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek has delivered an update on Victor Osimhen that will be welcome news for Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle.
The Galatasaray striker sustained a hamstring injury during the first half of Nigeria’s agonising penalty shootout defeat to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the African final of the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs.
Subsequent tests carried out upon his return to Istanbul revealed a moderate strain with intramuscular bleeding in the back of his left thigh.
The injury ruled him out of back-to-back fixtures against Gençlerbirliği and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Speaking to Ekol TV ahead of Monday’s Intercontinental Derby, Özbek indicated that Osimhen is expected to be available for selection for the clash with Fenerbahçe.
In quotes relayed by Sporx, Ozbek said: “Our players returning from injury will be in the squad for the Fenerbahce derby.
“Osimhen should be in the squad on Monday, and he will probably be because that’s the goal in our discussions so far.
“Our other players returning from injury will most likely be in the squad. We will field a very good team.”
Osimhen is in the plans of Eric Chelle for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and the Malian football tactician will be hoping his marquee centre-forward is fit for the tournament in Morocco.
According to Fifa’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), footballers called up for the Africa Cup of Nations must be released by their clubs and begin travelling no later than the Monday morning of the week preceding the week in which the tournament begins, meaning Osimhen is expected to report for Super Eagles duty from December 8.
However, it is anticipated that Galatasaray will seek to delay his release by at least one day as they face Monaco in a crucial Champions League match on December 9.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
