Victor Osimhen is set to make his debut for Galatasaray in their Turkish Super Lig week 5 fixture against Rizespor today at RAMS Park, Istanbul.
The Super Eagles striker, who recently joined the Istanbul giants on loan from Napoli, is anticipated to take the lead in the attack for his new team.
The match promises to be intriguing, as it will feature a clash of Nigerian talent. Rizespor’s squad includes Ibrahim Olawoyin, Okechukwu Azubuike, and Babajide David, creating a notable presence of Nigerian players on both sides.
The spotlight is on the Turkish Super Lig this weekend, particularly because of Osimhen’s high-profile loan move from Napoli to Galatasaray.
Although Osimhen was expected to secure a major transfer to either Chelsea or Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, those deals fell through on the transfer deadline day.
This led to Osimhen’s unexpected switch to Galatasaray following a strained relationship with Napoli, which was resolved through a mutual agreement.
Upon completing his move, Osimhen received a rousing welcome from Galatasaray fans, who turned out in large numbers at 4 am to greet their new star.
On September 12th, Osimhen trained with his new teammates for the first time and reconnected with his former Napoli colleague, Dries Mertens, who now plays for Galatasaray.
The 25-year-old striker has been in form for Nigeria, scoring in a 3-0 win over Benin in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
Although he didn’t score in Nigeria’s subsequent match against Rwanda, Galatasaray supporters are hopeful that he will quickly find his rhythm in Turkey.
Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray came after failed high-profile transfers to Chelsea and Al Ahli, adding an element of surprise to his summer transfer.
With Mauro Icardi, the former Inter Milan and PSG striker, sidelined due to a back injury, Osimhen will certainly lead the line for Galatasaray against Rizespor.
Galatasaray enters this game with a strong position, having won three of their first five matches and standing second in the league with 9 points.
In contrast, Rizespor has only secured one win and two losses, placing them 12th with just four points from four games.
Historically, Galatasaray has the upper hand in head-to-head encounters with Rizespor, boasting 11 victories compared to Rizespor’s three, with eight matches ending in draws.
The addition of Osimhen is expected to bolster Galatasaray’s chances further.
The match kicks off at 6 PM Nigerian time and will be broadcast on DStv’s ESPN Channel 218 and Afro Sports.
Fans can look forward to witnessing Osimhen’s debut performance in Turkey.
