Osimhen allays injury fears, undergoes scan

Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen is expected to undergo an MRI scan after arriving at Galatasaray on Tuesday, and he also allayed fears of a serious of picking up a serious injury on international duty, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Osimhen was withdrawn at half-time during Nigeria’s loss to DR Congo in the final of the 2026 World Cup African play-offs on Sunday. The striker was believed to have suffered a hamstring injury and was substituted to prevent further aggravation.

According to multiple reports from Turkey, Galatasaray sent a private plane for Osimhen on Tuesday, and he is expected to undergo the scan that will determine the extent of the damage.

Turkish journalist Haluk Yürekli reported that the club hopes the injury is not serious.

“Galatasaray officials spoke with Osimhen on Monday about the injury issue, and what Osimhen said is that it doesn’t seem very serious. That’s his expectation,” Yürekli said via Forza Climbom, a Turkish football account on X.

On his arrival, the striker also told a reporter, “It’s not serious,” when asked about the injury.

Osimhen is likely to miss their Süper Lig clash against Gençlerbirliği on Saturday, and he is also doubtful for their Champions League game against Union SG next Tuesday.

Another Turkish journalist, Ali Naci Küçük, suggested that Osimhen’s recovery may take about 10 days, with Galatasaray hoping he will be fit enough to return for the derby against Fenerbahçe on Monday, December 1.

“The part I mentioned as ‘10 per cent for Osimhen’ is the possibility of him being in the expanded squad for the Fenerbahçe match. If we assume the best-case scenario of bleeding in his hamstring, the treatment will take 10 days,” Küçük explained via quotes relayed by Forza Climbom.

This season, Osimhen has scored nine goals in 12 matches for Galatasaray.

He recently bagged a hat-trick against Ajax in the UEFA Champions League, helping them climb to ninth position in the league phase, while they also hold a one-point lead over rivals Fenerbahçe at the top of the Süper Lig.

The 27-year-old joined Galatasaray permanently in the summer after a successful loan spell in the 2024/25 season, when he scored 37 goals in 41 appearances.