It was a moment Galatasaray fans had been eagerly awaiting, and when it arrived, Victor Osimhen made sure it carried a message.
The Striker, who had been providing assists but still chasing his first goal, finally broke his duck on Saturday celebrating in style with a shirt that read one word: “Finally.”
Victor Osimhen celebrates his first goal for Galatasaray. (Photo by Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Osimhen’s arrival in Istanbul was met with much excitement, and despite immediately returning to Nigeria for international duty where he found the net his return to Turkey saw the goals temporarily dry up.
However, Osimhen remained unfazed, reassuring fans that the goals would come.
The Long Wait
In a home fixture against Kasımpaşa on Saturday, Osimhen delivered what the fans had been waiting for.
Starting for Galatasaray, the 25-year-old opened the scoring in the 20th minute, marking his first goal for the club.
His joy was evident as he celebrated by revealing a shirt with “Finally” written on the back an emotional acknowledgement of the pressure he had felt to get on the scoresheet.
But Osimhen wasn’t done. After waiting three games for his first goal, he needed only eight minutes to score his second. His second goal was a beauty, showcasing his class and composure.
Trapping a ball forward from Gabriel Sara with his thigh, Osimhen, despite being tightly marked with his back to goal, executed a quick turn and powered the ball off the crossbar and into the net.
It was a goal that highlighted his incredible technical ability and why he is the reigning African Player of the Year
Celebration Cut Short
Victor Osimhen gets injured during Turkish Super Lig match between Galatasaray and Kasimpasa in Istanbul. (Photo by Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
In just four appearances for Galatasaray, Osimhen has already contributed four assists and two goals, a testament to his all-around play.
However, his impressive performance against Kasımpaşa was cut short due to injury. The forward was forced off in the first half, and Galatasaray, who had raced to a 3-0 lead, were eventually held to a 3-3 draw, with Mario Icardi scoring the third goal for Galatasaray.
After the game, Osimhen reassured fans about his condition: “My injury is not serious. I felt a slight pain during the match and informed Icardi and coach Okan immediately.”
Though his injury is a concern, Osimhen’s form is promising, and Galatasaray fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery as he continues to settle in and make his mark in Turkey.
