Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has had a week to remember. On Thursday he became a father for the second time. On Friday he flew to Konya and scored the opening goal in Galatasaray’s 4-0 Turkish Süper Lig win over Konyaspor, then dedicated it to his newborn daughter. On Tuesday night he is expected to lead the Turkish champions’ attack against VfB Stuttgart in the UEFA Champions League.
The goal kept up a strong start to the season for the 27-year-old. Nigerian outlets now count him among several Super Eagles forwards scoring regularly across Europe.
A Private Flight to Konya
Galatasaray announced on its official X account on Friday that Osimhen and his partner Stefanie had welcomed a baby girl named Liora Audrey. She is the couple’s second child, according to BusinessDay.
Turkish-Football.com reported that the club let the striker stay in Istanbul with his family overnight after the birth instead of travelling with the squad. He then took a private flight to Konya on Friday morning and joined his teammates only hours before kick-off, without training with them before the game.
That did not seem to slow him down. Reports from BusinessDay and The Sun say Osimhen headed Galatasaray in front early in the first half from a Gabriel Sara free-kick. Yunus Akgün added a second before the break. Aleksey Batrakov and Rafael Leão completed the 4-0 win after half-time.
Osimhen celebrated with a gesture for his newborn daughter, and the moment was widely shared on social media in Nigeria and Turkey, Legit.ng and TVC News reported.
Goals Keep Coming
The header was Osimhen’s ninth league goal in eight Süper Lig appearances this season, and his third game in a row with a goal, according to BusinessDay. Pulse Sports said the strike took him to 10 goals in all competitions.
Galatasaray, the defending champions, are top of the table with 25 points from 10 matches. Osimhen has been central to their bid for another title since making his move to Istanbul permanent.
He has company among Nigerian forwards. Pulse Sports reported that Ajax striker Tolu Arokodare and Amedspor’s Gift Orban both scored again at the weekend. That puts the two of them in a friendly race with Osimhen for the most goals by a Nigerian abroad this season.
Stuttgart Next in the Champions League
The next big test comes on Tuesday, 3 November, when Galatasaray host VfB Stuttgart on matchday four of the Champions League league phase. The German side have never met Galatasaray in the competition before. Turkish outlet Fanatik reported that Stuttgart have injury worries ahead of the trip to Istanbul.
For Galatasaray, a home win would strengthen their chances of a top-24 finish, which secures at least a play-off spot for the knockout rounds. Osimhen’s form, and how he handles the extra emotional load of a hectic week, will be a big part of their plans.
What It Means for the Super Eagles
Osimhen’s scoring is welcome news for Nigeria. He remains the Super Eagles’ main attacking threat, and coaches and fans will be glad to see him fit and sharp. Several other Nigerian forwards are also scoring, which gives the national team staff more options up front ahead of the next international window.
After Stuttgart, the striker returns to league duty as Galatasaray try to stay ahead of their domestic rivals. If he keeps this pace, he could be in contention for the Süper Lig golden boot again.
Sources: BusinessDay, Turkish-Football.com, The Sun, Legit.ng, TVC News, Pulse Sports, Fanatik.
