Galatasaray will on Saturday play Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig week 5 match at RAMS Park in Istanbul, where Victor Osimhen is expected to make his debut for the team.
It is anticipated that the Super Eagles striker, who came to the Istanbul giants on loan from Napoli, will lead the line.
The 25-year-old, who had been linked to lucrative deals with Chelsea and Al Ahli, ultimately completed is unexpected move to Galatasaray during the summer transfer window.
With great hoopla, Osimhen arrived in Istanbul at 4 a.m., to the excitement of hundreds of Galatasaray supporters who had come to welcome their new addition.
Osimhen practiced with his new teammates on Thursday, September 12, the first time he had done so since leaving Naples for Istanbul to return from Super Eagles international duty.
He has rejoined Dries Mertens, his former colleague at Napoli, who is currently employed by Galatasaray in Turkey.
Osimhen is eager to get started right away at his new club. He recently returned from international service with Nigeria, where he scored in a 3-0 victory against Benin Republic in an AFCON 2025 match.
Due to Mauro Icardi’s injury, Galatasaray’s normal striker, the Super Eagles goal scorer, is expected to lead the assault against Rizespor.
There will be a Nigerian connection to the game when Rizespor, who are led by Babajide David, Okechukwu Azubuike, and Ibrahim Olawoyin, take on Osimhen’s Galatasaray.
With nine points from three games, Galatasaray is presently second in the Super Lig and will be eager to continue their winning run.
This season, the hosts have won all three league games, including a thrilling 5-1 triumph over Adana Demirspor in week two. Rizespor, on the other hand, will be looking to recover from two straight losses after a tough 5-0 loss to Fenerbahce and a 1-0 setback to Kasimpasa. Rizespor is now ranked 12th with four points from four games.
According to head-to-head records, Galatasaray has defeated Rizespor 11 times while there have been eight draws between the two teams.
All eyes will be on RAMS Park as Osimhen gets ready to make his imprint in Turkish football, hoping the African Player of the Year can lead Galatasaray to yet another victory and build on their stellar start to the campaign.
Written by Jennifer Amarachi
