The reigning African Footballer of the Year and one of Europe’s top goal-scorers, Victor Osimhen, has vowed to lead Turkish football to European triumph.
His bold statement came on Thursday night after Galatasaray’s gritty 1-1 draw against AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League.
The Super Eagles striker was pivotal in securing the draw, scoring a critical equalizer in the 43rd minute after the hosts had gone ahead early in the match.
Despite the shared points, Osimhen expressed unshakable faith in the team’s European campaign, assuring fans of his dedication to bringing the prestigious UEFA Cup to Turkey.
In an interview with Parçalı Sportz, a well-known Turkish sports outlet on X, Osimhen declared, “I said I would score a goal, and I did. I promise you one more thing; I will bring the UEFA Cup to Turkey.”
Osimhen’s impressive display has further solidified his status as a fan favourite at Galatasaray, fueling hopes of European glory.
His remarks have energized supporters, eager to see the team repeat their historic success.
Meanwhile, AZ Alkmaar head coach Maarten Martens sparked controversy with a bold statement that intensified Turkey’s long-standing football rivalry.
When asked why his team defeated Fenerbahçe but struggled against Galatasaray, Martens curtly replied, “Galatasaray is much bigger than Fenerbahçe.”
The remark has since reignited passionate debates among fans and analysts, fueling discussions about the dominance of Istanbul’s football giants.
Galatasaray currently sits in fourth place in the Europa League’s 36-team phase, amassing 11 points—just two points shy of the top three.
The team, led by an unbeaten Okan Buruk, will next face Swedish side Malmö FF on December 12, 2024, in a crucial Matchday 6 fixture.
Galatasaray’s last major European success came in 2000 when they made history by becoming the first Turkish club to win a European title, defeating Arsenal in the UEFA Cup final. They followed that triumph by securing the UEFA Super Cup the same year.
