Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk has played down talks of Victor Osimhen sustaining another injury, explaining that the striker’s substitution against Tottenham Hotspur was due to fatigue.

Osimhen was on fire as he scored two goals which helped Galatasaray to secure a highly important 3-2 victory against ten-man Tottenham in a UEFA Europa League group encounter in Turkey on Thursday evening.

The Nigerian striker despite an earlier injury scare during the preparation for the game started against Tottenham and he justified his starting shirt by netting a brace within the space of eight minutes.

Yunus Akgun opened the scoring in the sixth minute, Tottenham got their equaliser in the 18th minute through William Lankshear.

Osimhen thereafter took over proceedings in the 31st minute, converting a precise pass from Dries Mertens.

Just eight minutes later after being set up once again by Mertens, the Super Eagles striker got his brace with a controlled volley that left Tottenham goalkeeper, Fraser Foster helpless.

Osimhen had a few more goal scoring chances to bag a hat-trick but he fell short with a header while he also saw a shot blocked before coming off in the 80th minute much to the disappointment of the home crowd.

However, Galatasaray manager, Buruk in a post-match press conference clarified that Osimhen’s substitution was not a tactical decision but rather a response to the player’s fatigue.

Buruk added that the Nigerian international had initiated the substitution request due to exhaustion.

“We scored here. Maybe we could have reached 7-8 goals in the second half. We missed very clear opportunities. After that, we got tired. We changed Mertens. He had received a yellow card, we were afraid of him (getting a red card),” Buruk said.

“Then Osimhen wanted to go out. Of course, the crowd reacted here. Osimhen got tired and wanted to go out himself. He had trained for two days. We have another match in three days.”

The manager further emphasized that Osimhen’s limited training time (just two days) influenced the decision to substitute him, ensuring he would be fresh for their upcoming league match against Samsunspor on Sunday.

Since joining the Turkish giants late in the summer on loan from Italian side Napoli, Osimhen has had 10 goals contributions (six goals and four assists) in eight games for Galatasaray.

Victor Osimhen has urged his teammates at Galatasaray to maintain their winning momentum following their 3-2 victory against Tottenham Hotspur in a UEFA Europa League group encounter in Turkey on Thursday evening.

Osimhen was on fire as he scored two goals which helped Galatasaray to secure a highly important victory against ten-man Tottenham.

Osimhen despite an earlier injury scare during the preparation for the game started against Tottenham and he justified his starting shirt by netting a brace within the space of eight minutes.

The striker said afterwards that the victory against Tottenham was important for Galatasaray and insisted he and his colleagues will keep fighting for each other.

“Tottenham was a very difficult opponent. We made our preparations accordingly. I want to congratulate my team. I would also like to thank our fans who supported us from the first moment to the last,” Osimhen told the GSTV YouTube channel.

“Of course, the two goals were important for me. On the other hand, I hope Mauro’s injury is not serious. This victory was important for us. 

“It was important for us to win against Tottenham who played well and fought until the last moment. We need to continue our momentum.

“We need to think about each match individually. Right now, we will focus on our league match. There will be an international break. 

“We will make our preparations. We will care about every opponent. We will show our quality and fight for each other. We will fight for victory every time,” the striker concluded.

Galatasaray head coach, Okan Buruk, started the match with a formidable attacking duo of Osimhen and Mauro Icardi. 

However, it was left-back Yunus Akgun who opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a well-struck shot from outside the box.

Tottenham got their equaliser in the 18th minute through teenager, William Lankshear who became their youngest goalscorer in major European competition since Harry Kane (18y 140d) who netted against Shamrock Rovers in the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League.

Osimhen thereafter took over proceedings in the 31st minute, converting a precise pass from Dries Mertens. 

Just eight minutes later after being set up once again by Mertens, the Super Eagles striker got his brace with a controlled volley that left Tottenham goalkeeper, Fraser Foster helpless.

Osimhen had a few more goalscoring chances to bag a hat-trick but he fell short with a header while he also saw a shot blocked. 

Since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, the 25-years-old forward has scored two goals and contributed two assists in three Europa League matches. 

Osimhen has, however, scored six goals and rendered four assists in eight games across all competitions for the Turkish Super Lig club.

Flying Eagles head coach, Aliyu Zubairu says the men’s national U-20 football team is still a work in progress.

Zubairu stated this on Monday in Ilorin at a meeting with members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara Chapter.

The gaffer noted that in spite of their victory in the WAFU B championship in Togo, critical areas in the team still needed improvement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Flying Eagles’ hard-earned victory in Togo secured Nigeria’s place in the U-20 AFCON billed for South Africa in January, 2025.

The U-20 AFCON will also determine the continent’s representatives for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.

“I’m somewhat dissatisfied with our defence; we were conceding goals consistently. This vulnerability cannot be overlooked on a larger stage,” he stated.

Zubairu decried the fact that the team had limited time to prepare for WAFU B championship, while stressing the need for adequate preparation for future tournaments.

“I had just 37 days from my appointment to the WAFU B tournament, and we retained only three players from the previous squad, necessitating the recruitment of new talents,” he explained.

He also acknowledged the interest from eligible players outside Nigeria, asserting that “We will not hinder their participation and are committed to selecting those with the necessary skills.”

The coach revealed that plans were underway for an early training camp ahead of the U-20 AFCON, while underlining the importance of securing a spot in the World Cup.

Real Madrid Fans Club in Kwalam, Jigawa, has suspended a member, Abbati Soja, over alleged misconduct and lack of loyalty to the club.

A statement by the club’s Chairman, Garzali Nfari, and Secretary, Aliyu Tabulet, indicated that Soja was punished for remarks considered “discouraging” after the Spanish soccer giants lost 4-0 to bitter rivals Barcelona in a La Liga encounter.

According to the statement, Soja made a statement to the effect that Real Madrid would not achieve much this season.

“That sentiment affected the morale of other members.

“The suspension, effective from Oct. 28, following a meeting of the Fan Club’s Executive Council; he remains suspended till May 28, 2025. That day coincides with the end of the football season,” it said.

The decision has sparked debate among fans, raising important questions about loyalty in sports fandom

Some have suggested that such strict actions may prove counter-productive at a time fan clubs worldwide are striving to grow their base and promote inclusivity.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 4-0 in front of their fans at the Bernabeu in the first El Clasico of the season on Oct. 26.

The win moved Barcelona six points clear of Real Madrid after 10 games in the season.

Napoli manager, Antonio Conte has sounded a note of warning to his players about how dangerous Ademola Lookman could be as they face Atalanta in a Serie A game on Sunday.

Conte, according to Football Italia has warned Napoli that if Arsenal had to make tactical sacrifices to deal with Atalanta, then so will they on Sunday, saying it is not possible for them to underestimate the match.

The Partenopei are running away at the top of the Serie A table and have won every match except for a single draw away to Juventus since the opening weekend.

As for La Dea, they have won four on the bounce domestically, scoring 15 goals and conceding two.

Worthy of note is Lookman’s wonderful performances so far this season with the Nigerian international having scored five goals and contributed as many assists in 11 games across all competitions for Atalanta.

As such, Napoli gaffer, Conte has warned his players about Lookman even as he is planning to make use of a five-man defence in their Serie A game versus Atalanta.

“This is a big danger, because Atalanta are a strong team, they won the Europa League by ending Bayer Leverkusen’s season-long unbeaten record,” said Conte in his press conference.

“It is not possible for Napoli to underestimate this match. If anything, it could be Atalanta who underestimate us, seeing what happened last season. You all keep telling me it is an advantage not playing European games, but I warn you it is a disadvantage because we don’t have such a deep squad.”

He also noted that when Atalanta drew 0-0 with Arsenal in the Champions League, the Gunners made tactical sacrifices.

“It was Matteo who gave me the idea to drop down if needed when under attack. Against Atalanta, Arsenal put Thomas Partey on Ademola Lookman to form a five-man line, sometimes Arsenal also brought Saka and Martinelli deep.

“There is an evolution, you attack in one way and defend in another. It’s not just about defenders but the whole team working together to defend.

“I have really drummed the tactical issues into the players ahead of this game and we’ll see what happens.”

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are reportedly keen on signing Ademola Lookman to replace Kylian Mbappe who joined Real Madrid during the summer transfer window.

Lookman looks a sure bet to make his departure from Atalanta in the nearest possible future with PSG looking like his next port of call in his growing football career.

In fact, the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominee and Super Eagles winger is almost certain to leave the Serie A club during the coming winter transfer window come January 2025 following interest from the Premier League but the biggest interest is from PSG.

Lookman who won silver medal at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Nigeria in Ivory Coast earlier this year has been on the radar of London-based Premier League side, West Ham United.

The skillful winger also has interest from three other clubs in the Premier League but it is more certain that they alongside West Ham will find it difficult to compete with PSG for his signature, according to Football Insider.

Reports have suggested that the Irons are ready to swoop for the Nigerian international in January, however, sources say there will be “huge interest” from Europe in the 27-year-old Super Eagles attacker.

According to a report from top French media outlet, L’Equipe, PSG will be the frontrunner for the forward if he becomes available in the coming months.

He finished 14th in the Ballon d’Or rankings for 2024 after leading the Italian side to the Europa League trophy last term.

Lookman has already hit five goals and contributed five assists in 11 games across all competitions for Atalanta this season.

The forward who is under contract with La Dea until June 2026 hit 17 goals and notched 10 assists in 45 appearances across board during the 2023/24 season.