Okan Buruk has provided an encouraging update on the fitness of Victor Osimhen following Galatasaray’s 3–1 victory over Göztepe in a rescheduled Süper Lig fixture.
Speaking after the match, Buruk confirmed that the Nigerian striker has taken a key step in his recovery after a spell on the sidelines.
“Osimhen has started running. It will be difficult for him to return this weekend, but I think he could be in the squad for the Gençlerbirliği match next week, if conditions permit,” he said.
The Galatasaray boss also suggested the club could take a cautious approach regarding the striker’s return.
“We might even skip him and use him in the Fenerbahçe match. We need to see how things go,” Buruk added.
Osimhen had been ruled out after sustaining an injury during a UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool FC, which required surgical intervention.
Following a successful operation, the Super Eagles forward has made steady progress, with his return to running marking a significant milestone in his rehabilitation.
Attention will now turn to his readiness for upcoming fixtures, including a potential return against Gençlerbirliği or a high-profile showdown with Fenerbahçe as Galatasaray manage his workload carefully.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
