Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has returned to Nigeria after suffering a serious injury while playing for Galatasaray in Europe.
The incident happened during Galatasaray’s heavy 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Osimhen was involved in an early collision with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté. Despite clearly feeling discomfort, the Nigerian forward showed determination by continuing to play until the end of the first half. However, medical checks after the game confirmed that he had suffered a fractured right forearm.
Following the injury, Osimhen has traveled back to Nigeria, where he is expected to continue his recovery. His arm has been placed in a cast, and doctors are currently monitoring the swelling. A final decision on whether he will need surgery will be made once the swelling reduces. If surgery becomes necessary, he could be sidelined for about six weeks, dealing a significant blow to both his club and country.
The injury means Osimhen is likely to miss several important matches in the Turkish Super Lig, including fixtures against Trabzonspor, Kocaelispor, and Gençlerbirliği. There are also concerns about whether he will be fit in time for Galatasaray’s crucial clash against rivals Fenerbahçe scheduled for April 26.
In addition, Osimhen was not included in the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan, which will take place in Antalya, Turkey. It was noted that his trip to Nigeria had already been planned before the injury occurred.
This latest setback adds to Osimhen’s fitness struggles this season, as he has already missed seven matches across domestic and European competitions due to injuries. Despite these challenges, he has remained one of Galatasaray’s key players, recording an impressive 26 goal contributions so far this season, with 19 goals and seven assists.
His absence will undoubtedly be felt, as both Galatasaray and the Super Eagles will hope for his quick and full recovery ahead of crucial fixtures in the coming weeks.
