Galatasaray President Dursun Ozbek has confirmed that Victor Osimhen will be available for tonight’s Intercontinental Derby against arch-rivals Fenerbahçe.
There had been concerns over the Nigerian forward’s fitness after he picked up a hamstring injury while on international duty, raising doubts about his readiness for the high-stakes Istanbul clash. However, the club received a major boost as Osimhen returned to full training and was cleared for selection.
Ozbek, in a brief statement, assured supporters that the Super Eagles striker has been included in the matchday squad, describing his availability as a significant lift ahead of the derby.
“Osimhen will be in the squad,” Ozbek said. “He was the target.”
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Incidentally, Osimhen had enthused that he was ready to risk everything in order to feature in the high profile Turkish Lig 1 encounter.
“I know the importance of the Fenerbache Derby and what it means to the fans. I experienced this excitement last season,” he told Sabah newspaper. “Galatasaray signed me for such big matches.
“If necessary, I will take risks and go out on the field and give my all.”
Gala have struggled recently in Osimhen’s absence, evidently in last week’s humiliating UEFA Champions League defeat to Union Saint Gilloise of Belgium.
It was in that context that former Watford FC captain Troy Deeney insisted Galatasaray urgently needed their marquee striker back, calling Osimhen one of the world’s top five strikers.
“Once you lose that kind of player … you don’t have somebody large like him you can pull up from the bench or the youth team,” Deeney said.
