Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is reportedly on course to return to action for Galatasaray on October 9 when the Turkish champions host Kasimpasa in a Super Lig fixture.
According to Turkish sports newspaper Fanatik, the return date has emerged from Galatasaray’s medical rehabilitation programme for the 27-year-old forward, who has spent several weeks recovering from a groin injury.
Osimhen was initially included in Eric Chelle’s squad for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau but later withdrew from the team.
The Nigeria Football Federation and Galatasaray agreed that the striker should remain in Istanbul to continue his rehabilitation after the club’s medical team advised against international duty. Taiwo Awoniyi was subsequently called up as his replacement in the Super Eagles squad.
Galatasaray have described Osimhen’s injury as a moderate-to-advanced strain involving bleeding in the right groin area.
The injury has already forced the Nigerian to miss Galatasaray’s Champions League opener against Sporting Lisbon, as well as Super Lig matches against Kocaelispor and Trabzonspor.
Galatasaray suffered defeats in two of those fixtures, with Osimhen’s absence leaving a significant void in Okan Buruk’s attack.
Turkish football pundit Sinan Engin also highlighted the striker’s absence following Galatasaray’s defeat to Sporting, underlining the importance of Osimhen to the club’s attacking options.
If his rehabilitation continues according to schedule, the Kasimpasa clash at RAMS Park could mark Osimhen’s first appearance for Galatasaray since sustaining the injury.
The match would also provide the Nigerian with an opportunity to regain sharpness ahead of Galatasaray’s Champions League encounter with Barcelona at the same venue four days later.
Osimhen had made an impressive start to the new season before his injury, scoring six goals and providing two assists in Galatasaray’s opening four Super Lig matches.
In his absence, Buruk has used Baris Alper Yilmaz in a central attacking role, while Rafael Leao has also been unable to fully fill the void left by the Nigerian.
With Osimhen expected to return, attention will now turn to his fitness and whether he can quickly regain the form that made him one of Galatasaray’s key attacking players.
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