Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has confessed that he is often uneasy whenever striker Victor Osimhen travels to represent Nigeria’s Super Eagles during the international break.

Buruk’s comments come after the 26-year-old forward picked up an ankle injury in Nigeria’s narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday in Uyo.

Osimhen, who started the game brightly, was forced off in the first half and replaced by Cyriel Dessers, leaving both club and country anxious over his fitness ahead of crucial fixtures.

Speaking to Now Spor, Buruk revealed his immediate concern when he learned of the injury:

“If there is a problem with Osimhen, we want to send a plane immediately and bring him back to Türkiye. We hope it’s nothing serious.
I was at dinner when the waiter saw him and came to me with a phone in his hand.
I always have fears about sending him to the national team, but tonight we experienced a bit of that.
We reached Osimhen. The information we received is that he has pain in his foot.”

Osimhen’s participation in Nigeria’s next qualifier against South Africa on Tuesday remains highly doubtful, a potential blow for the three-time African champions.

Opinion

Okan Buruk’s words reflect a growing tension between club managers and international football—a tug of war where players like Osimhen are caught in the middle. For Galatasaray, he is a record signing, a prized asset meant to deliver trophies and goals. For Nigeria, he is a national hero, the spearhead of their World Cup dream.

The truth is, both parties need him desperately, but his body can only give so much. Injuries like this underline the brutal workload top players face, especially when balancing club demands with international commitments.

Yet, beyond the tactical loss, there is an emotional weight. Nigerians adore Osimhen not just for his goals, but for his fighting spirit—the way he chases every ball, presses every defender, and wears his passion for the green and white like a badge of honor. Losing him, even temporarily, feels like losing the heartbeat of the team.

But perhaps this moment is also a test of depth for the Super Eagles. If Osimhen doesn’t make it against South Africa, it will be up to players like Cyriel Dessers, Ademola Lookman, or Terem Moffi to rise to the occasion. Great teams are not defined by one man, but by their ability to survive without him.

Still, one thing is certain: whether in Istanbul or in Abuja, everyone is holding their breath for Victor Osimhen.