Osimhen scores twice as Galatasaray beat Fenerbahce in the Istanbul derby
Two first-half goals at RAMS Park put Galatasaray back on top of the Super Lig, two weeks before the Super Eagles face Tanzania.
A month ago Victor Osimhen was injured and Nigerians were arguing about who should lead the line without him. On Monday night he settled the biggest game in Turkish football. Osimhen scored both goals as Galatasaray beat Fenerbahce 2-1 at RAMS Park, and the champions are back on top of the Super Lig.
How the goals went in
The first came in the 29th minute. Baris Alper Yilmaz set him up and Osimhen finished from inside the box, a half-volley according to Afrik-Foot. The second, a minute before half-time, was pure striker's instinct: Davinson Sanchez's effort was heading wide and Osimhen headed it in, according to Blueprint's match report.
Fenerbahce did not have a shot on target in the first half, Sofascore reports, though they did hit the woodwork. Irfan Can Kahveci pulled one back with an overhead kick in the 62nd minute, but Galatasaray held on.
The table and a derby record
The win takes Galatasaray to 22 points from nine matches, six clear of Fenerbahce on 16. Afrik-Foot reports that Osimhen now has three goals against Fenerbahce, level with Wesley Sneijder and Mirza Sejdic for the most by a foreign player for Galatasaray in the fixture.
What it means for the Super Eagles
Osimhen missed the September and October internationals with a groin injury, and in his first weeks back he was quiet: our round-up of the 17 to 19 October weekend had him playing 90 minutes without a goal. This is the answer Eric Chelle will have wanted to see.
Nigeria host Tanzania on 13 November and play the return on 17 November, with the home game staying in Uyo. The squad has not been announced. If Osimhen is fit, the striker debate changes shape: it is no longer about replacing him, but about who plays alongside or behind him. Akor Adams, who scored for club and country in October, has made that conversation harder for Chelle, in a good way.
For everything else from the weekend, including Chidozie Awaziem's double and Kelechi Iheanacho's scoring run, read our Nigerians abroad round-up.
Live fan poll
Voting closes Fri 13 Nov, 12:00 WAT
Who should lead the Super Eagles attack against Tanzania?
From the story: Osimhen is out. Who should lead the Super Eagles line against Tanzania?
Sources
- Turkish league: Osimhen brace fires Galatasaray to derby victory over Fenerbahce · Blueprint (opens in a new tab)
- Galatasaray 2-1 Fenerbahce: Osimhen brace decides derby · Sofascore (opens in a new tab)
- Super Eagles latest news today: Osimhen breaks record · Afrik-Foot Nigeria (opens in a new tab)
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