Sports
Gaziantep 0-3 Galatasaray: Victor Osimhen sends clear message as Cimbom begin title defence with easy win
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen was a notable absentee as Galatasaray strolled to a 3-0 victory over Gaziantep in their opening game of the Turkish Super Lig season, Soccernet.ng reports.
Osimhen and Mauro Icardi’s names were conspicuously missing from Galatasaray’s squad to take on Gaziantep at the Kaylon Stadyumu on Friday.
Still, with stars like Leroy Sane, Baris Alper Yilmaz, and Gabriel Sara, the Cimbom were the odds on favourites to claim all three points.
Last season, Galatasatay coach Orkan Buruk employed a high octane, attack-focused approach in their league games, and they stayed true to that philosophy against Gaziantep in their league opener.
The Cimbom committed men into the final third from the blast of the whistle, pressing them from the front to force mistake and create chances.
It took just 10 minutes for Gaziantep to falter. Galatasaray won a penalty after a lengthy VAR review showed that a defender upended Roland Sallai, who was trying to get on the end of a cross from a corner kick.
Osimhen is the usual penalty taker, but Alper Yilmaz took charge of the responsibility and slotted the ball in to make it 1-0.
While the home side were still reeling from the shock of conceding first, Galatasaray struck again. This time, through new signing Eren Elmali.
Alper Yimaz got a chance in the box, but instead of shooting, he showed some beautiful footwork to outfox his marker and laid a pass to Elmali who was running free.
The former Trabzonspor man simply poked the ball from close range to make it 2-0 after 16 minutes. After that, the game balanced out a little. However, they could not find the net.
Leroy Sane got an opportunity towards the end of the first half after he was played through on goal by a fine pass. But his attempt from inside the box was terrible, as it went high and wide.
Things got worse for Gaziantep just before the break, as they conceded another penalty after Sallai’s heel was clipped in the box. The referee did not even need a VAR review for that one.
Alper Yimaz took charge of the situation again and converted his spot kick to make it 3-0.
Galatasaray dominated the second half and even got a man advantage after Gaziantep’s goalie Mustafa Bozan was sent off for handling the ball outside the box. However, the Cimbom failed to score, as the game eventually ended 3-0.
Watch Gaziantep vs Galatasaray Highlights
Victor Osimhen Sends Strong Message to Galatasaray Fans, Teammates
Victor Osimhen’s absence from Galatasaray’s game did not come as a surprise, as the Super Eagles star did not have a pre-season due to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Nonetheless, he followed the game. The 26-year-old Super Eagles star posted a video of him watching the match on a television. At the time, Erin Elmali was celebrating the second goal for Galatasaray.
Osimhen captioned it, “Big mood, we keep going!”
The Super Eagles star has a good relationship with his teammates, and it was clearly a solidarity post to show that even though he was not on the pitch, he was supporting them.
Galatasaray’s next game is against Fatih Katagumruk at Rams Park next week Saturday, and Victor Osimhen should be available to play.
İlk yarı sonucu: Gaziantep FK 0-3 Galatasaray#GFKvGS pic.twitter.com/2W64xaBmDp
— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) August 8, 2025
Nigeria continued its impressive campaign at the African Open Para Powerlifting Championship on Friday, recording another dominant performance as the team finished the day with five gold, two silver and two bronze medals, BSNSports.com.ng reports.
Competing in Oran, Team Nigeria once again displayed remarkable strength and technical quality across several weight categories, reinforcing the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading forces in para powerlifting.Nigerian athlete profiles
In the women’s 41kg category, Anifat Ganiyu secured gold after a commanding display that set the tone for the team’s successful outing.
Nigeria’s medal haul continued in the women’s 50kg category, where Ajiboye Rukayat delivered a gold medal-winning performance, while compatriot Nworgu Esther claimed silver in the same event.
In the women’s 73kg category, Ani Chiamaka added another gold medal to Nigeria’s tally with an outstanding performance.
The standout moment of the day came in the women’s 79kg category, where Rita Ferdinard produced a record-breaking performance to secure gold and set a new African record.
Rita successfully lifted 138kg to clinch the gold medal before improving her mark with a 148kg lift. She then raised the bar further and made history with an impressive 154kg lift to establish a new African record, drawing applause from spectators and officials at the championship.
In the men’s 88kg category, Riluwan Idris Sabo contributed to the medal haul with a bronze medal finish.
At the close of Friday’s events, Team Nigeria had amassed a total of five gold, two silver and two bronze medals, further underlining the nation’s strong presence at the continental championship ahead of the remaining events.
Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek has dismissed all speculation surrounding Victor Osimhen’s future, insisting the striker’s situation remains unchanged despite growing transfer rumours.
Osimhen has been strongly linked with a summer move to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Osimhen Not For Sale
Ozbek maintained that the Turkish Super Lig champions are not willing to consider any offers for the Nigeria international.
“We are not considering selling Osimhen. Osimhen is an important player for Galatasaray, Ozbek told HT Spor
“We are not considering selling an important player in our championship race. Putting a price on someone you don’t intend to sell is like counting your chickens before they hatch. We don’t have such a thing in mind.
“Osimhen is making the second-generation Galatasaray fans happy.”
The 27-year-old initially joined the Yellow and Reds on loan from Serie A club Napoli in 2024, before the move was made permanent last summer.
The powerful striker registered 26 goals, and four assists in 30 league appearances to help Okan Buruk’s side win a domestic double in the 2024/25 season.
He also claimed the top scorers’ prize for the season, enhancing his profile as one of the best strikers in the world.
Osimhen scored 22 goals and provided eight assists in 33 appearances across all competitions this season, playing a key role in helping the club retain the Süper Lig title and reach the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Return To International Scene
The former Lille star was named in Nigeria’s squad for next month’s international friendlies against Poland and Portugal by head coach Éric Chelle earlier this week.
Osimhen is making a return to the Super Eagles fold after missing the team’s friendlies against Iran and Jordan in March.
Al Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has finally won the Saudi Pro League title.
They were confirmed champions on Thursday, thanks to a 4-2 win over relegation battlers Damac.
The title race had gone down to the final day after Al-Nassr dramatically dropped points against Al-Hilal the previous week.
Jorge Jesus’ side knew there could be no mistakes against a Damac side fighting for survival at the other end of the table.
Ronaldo was on the scoresheet, as his brace helped Al Nassr secure the title ahead of rivals Al Hilal.
Sadio Mane opened the scoring in the first half, before second half goals by Kingsley Coman and Ronaldo’s double sealed the victory.
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