Osimhen scores against Lille as Chukwueze and Boniface suffer European setbacks

Victor Osimhen scored for Galatasaray in their 4-2 win against his former club Lille on Wednesday, while fellow Nigeria internationals Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Boniface face uncertainty over their involvement in upcoming European fixtures.

The result highlighted Osimhen’s importance to the Turkish champions as they continued their European campaign. The striker, who previously played for Lille, returned to haunt the French side by finding the net in an impressive Galatasaray victory.

For Chukwueze, however, the immediate outlook is less positive.

The AC Milan winger will miss Thursday’s European fixture against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium after suffering a problem with his left hip.

According to Milan News, the 26-year-old was absent from Milan’s final training session at Milanello and is due to undergo a specialist examination to determine the seriousness of the injury.

Chukwueze is reported to have developed the problem after Milan’s 3-2 Serie A victory over Atalanta on October 18. The club has not announced when he might return.

His absence further reduces Milan’s attacking options as the club deals with several fitness concerns.

Boniface omitted from Leverkusen squad

Bayer Leverkusen have also left Boniface out of their squad for Thursday’s Europa League trip to Greece, where they will face OFI Crete.

PUNCHSportsExtra reports that Leverkusen selected Jonas Hofmann as a replacement for the injured Martin Terrier. Terrier is expected to remain sidelined until December.

Boniface has had limited opportunities this season. The 25-year-old has made only one appearance, playing five minutes in Leverkusen’s opening-day defeat by SV Elversberg.

He has not played since that match, with competition for places in the attacking positions further restricting his involvement.

His omission from the European squad comes during an increasingly difficult spell as he attempts to re-establish himself in the German club’s plans.

The three Nigeria internationals are therefore heading into this stage of the European schedule in very different circumstances. Osimhen made a decisive contribution against his former employers, while Chukwueze is awaiting an assessment of his hip problem and Boniface remains outside Leverkusen’s plans for their match in Greece.

Their contrasting situations reflect the differing challenges facing Nigeria’s international players as they try to establish momentum at club level.