Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen is expected to recover in time for one of Turkey’s biggest football rivalries, as reports from Galatasaray correspondent Ali Naci Küçük indicate the Nigerian striker is working towards being available for the April 26 Istanbul derby against Fenerbahçe.
The Nigerian international has been out of action after suffering a hand injury during Galatasaray’s Champions League Round of 16 second-leg loss earlier this month. Following the injury, he had an operation at a hospital in Istanbul, with club officials confirming the surgery went well and that he was allowed to leave the hospital shortly afterwards.
Osimhen is projected to spend about six weeks on the sidelines, a situation that will rule him out of a number of domestic league fixtures as well as some Turkish Cup matches.
Reports suggest he will miss games against Trabzonspor, Göztepe, Kocaelispor and Gençlerbirliği as he continues his recovery, but the striker is hopeful of making his comeback in the crucial derby against Fenerbahçe at Rams Park.
According to Küçük, the expectation within the club is that Osimhen should be ready for the encounter provided there are no complications in his rehabilitation process.
The reigning African Footballer of the Year has also reportedly reassured the club’s president of his determination to return before the end of the season, expressing confidence that he will be back on the pitch to help the team in their title push.
The derby could play a major role in deciding the Turkish Super Lig title race, with Galatasaray currently sitting at the top of the table with a four-point advantage and an outstanding match still to play.
If his recovery does not go exactly as planned, Osimhen may have to wait until the closing stages of the season, with possible appearances coming in the final league matches.
Despite the injury setback, the striker has enjoyed an impressive campaign, contributing 19 goals and seven assists in 29 matches in all competitions. He was also influential in Europe before the club’s Champions League exit, recording seven goals and three assists in 10 appearances.
