Victor Osimhen’s return date is finally taking shape, with Galatasaray targeting their Champions League home game against Aston Villa on 24 November for the Super Eagles striker’s comeback from knee surgery.
The Turkish champions are unwilling to risk their star striker in the Super Lig home match against Samsunspor on 21 November, the first game after the international break, even if he is fit by then. Instead, Villa’s visit to RAMS Park three days later is viewed as the more likely comeback date, according to Turkish outlet Fanatik.
Victor Osimhen return date: Galatasaray’s Villa plan
Osimhen hurt his left knee in Galatasaray’s 2-0 Champions League win over VfB Stuttgart on 3 November. A scan found a loose fragment in the joint, and club doctor Yener İnce performed the operation at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital in Istanbul. The surgery was successful, and the club has said his recovery is being monitored through daily medical assessments — but Galatasaray have set no official return date of their own.
Before the injury, Osimhen had scored nine goals and provided three assists in just eight Super Lig appearances, leaving him level at the top of the scoring chart with compatriot Gift Orban. Galatasaray have already felt his absence, even though they beat Amedspor 4-3 at home without him, with Orban scoring his 10th goal of the season to move clear in the Golden Boot race.
Five-week warning clouds the Victor Osimhen return date
The Villa target date is not the only timeline in circulation, and the two do not agree. Turkish sports journalist Ali Naci Küçük has warned that the loose fragment in Osimhen’s knee could extend his recovery to around five weeks — a much longer absence than the three weeks initially suggested after the operation.
If that five-week estimate holds, Osimhen would miss not only the Samsunspor and Aston Villa games but also the Istanbul derby against Beşiktaş. Küçük added that the striker asked to remain in hospital after being discharged so his treatment could begin immediately, and that further assessments will give a clearer picture of his recovery.
Galatasaray vice-president Mehmet Cibara has also described the problem as chronic, while rejecting suggestions that the club’s pitch played any part in the injury. “Osimhen’s injury is chronic,” he told Turkish outlet GZT — a remark the club later sought to play down.
What it means for Nigeria
The uncertainty is a blow for the Super Eagles as well as Galatasaray. Osimhen has already missed Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Tanzania in Uyo, and he will also sit out Tuesday’s return leg in Zanzibar, with Tolu Arokodare stepping up in his absence with a brace in Uyo. His club will hope the Villa date holds — but as the conflicting reports show, nothing is certain until the medical team gives the green light. Ademola Lookman is also a doubt for Zanzibar after his knee knock in Uyo, leaving Eric Chelle short of attacking options.
For now, 24 November is the date circled in Istanbul. Whether Osimhen is ready to lead the line against Aston Villa, or has to wait a little longer, will depend on how his knee responds over the next ten days. For more on the qualifiers, check today’s predictions.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (public domain) — collage by SportsBuddy
