Osimhen’s knee problem is chronic, says Galatasaray vice-president Cibara

Galatasaray vice-president Mehmet Cibara has described Victor Osimhen’s knee injury as a chronic problem, rejecting suggestions that it was caused by the poor condition of the club’s home pitch.

The Nigeria striker underwent successful surgery after suffering the injury during Galatasaray’s Champions League match against VfB Stuttgart on 3 November.

Osimhen was subsequently omitted from Nigeria manager Eric Chelle’s squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Tanzania. The 27-year-old has not played for the Super Eagles since their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Morocco in January.

Cibara said the injury was linked to an existing issue that Osimhen had been managing, rather than the deteriorating playing surface at Galatasaray’s stadium.

“There’s no such thing as injuries happening off the pitch,” Cibara was quoted as saying by GZT.

“It has nothing to do with it. Leao’s injury is completely different, Osimhen’s injury is chronic. I won’t say more about it because we’re in the international break.”

The comments come after Osimhen missed four of Galatasaray’s matches this season because of fitness problems.

His absence was felt in defeats by Sporting CP and Trabzonspor, with Galatasaray losing both important fixtures without their leading centre-forward available for selection.

Osimhen has otherwise been a key contributor for the Turkish champions, scoring nine goals in the Turkish Super Lig. Only Amedspor forward Gift Orban has scored more in the competition.

The former African Footballer of the Year’s latest injury has also ruled him out of Nigeria’s forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, continuing his absence from the national team since January.