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
Sixteen-year-old Oluwakemi Adegbuyi has been named Player of the Tournament after helping Edo Queens win the 2026 WAFU-B Women’s title and qualify for the 2026/27 CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Nigerian champions defeated Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa 4-1 on penalties after the final ended 2-2 in regulation time in Burkina Faso on Sunday.
Edo Queens looked set to suffer defeat after conceding an early penalty, but they refused to give up and found a late equaliser in the 90+3rd minute to force the game into a shootout.
They held their nerve from the spot, converting four penalties while Ampem Darkoa managed just one to claim the WAFU-B crown and secure their place in the Champions League.
Adegbuyi was one of the standout performers throughout the competition.
The Nigeria U-17 international scored twice in Edo Queens’ 3-1 win over ASEC Mimosas, finding the net on her debut before scoring again in her second appearance.
Her impressive displays earned her the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player.
The teenager also enjoyed a remarkable 2025/26 season with FC Robo Queens, scoring 11 goals during the NWFL Premiership regular season and Super Six playoffs. Her form earned her the NWFL Premiership Player of the Season award.
Adegbuyi has now added the WAFU-B Player of the Tournament prize to her growing collection of individual honours and will be among the players to watch at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.
Meanwhile, Edo State Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa described Edo Queens’ qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League as a remarkable achievement for the state and Nigerian women’s football.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, in Benin, Idahosa praised the players and technical crew for their resilience, discipline and determination.
“The feat is a remarkable achievement that has further placed Edo State at the forefront of women’s football in Nigeria and West Africa,” he said.
Idahosa also commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his administration’s investment in sports development and praised Edo State Sports Commission chairman Amadin Enabulele for his leadership and support.
“I congratulate the players, coaches, technical crew, officials and the entire Edo Queens family on this well-deserved qualification,” Idahosa said.
“You have made Edo State and Nigeria proud. Your victory is a testament to what can be achieved when talent is matched with discipline, commitment and the right investment.
“We are proud of you and look forward to seeing you make an even greater mark on the continental stage.”
Manchester City are preparing an opening bid for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez as manager Enzo Maresca looks to rebuild his midfield before next week’s transfer deadline.
The Argentina international has emerged as a priority target for Maresca following several high-profile departures from the Etihad Stadium this summer. The 25-year-old also shares a strong relationship with his former Chelsea manager, who left Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day before taking charge of City in June.
Chelsea know about City’s interest. Naija News reports that the Blues previously set an unofficial deadline for a potential deal and placed a minimum £120m valuation on Fernandez, but that deadline passed without an agreement.
City are now expected to return for the midfielder before the window closes. A successful move could make Fernandez one of the most expensive signings in Premier League history, behind only Liverpool’s £125 million deal for Alexander Isak.
The Premier League champions have already paid £116 million for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and could break their transfer record for a second time in the same window.
Maresca wants another midfielder after a major reshuffle in the department. Tijjani Reijnders joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah for £52 million; Barcelona signed Rodri for £65 million; Newcastle agreed a £52 million deal for Nico Gonzalez; and Bernardo Silva left earlier in the summer before joining Real Madrid.
Fernandez’s future has remained under scrutiny since Chelsea’s Champions League elimination by Paris Saint-Germain in March. He and his agent, former PSG midfielder Javier Pastore, attracted interest from Real Madrid, although the Spanish giants later issued a statement denying any attempt to sign the midfielder.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso also revealed in July that he had held a private conversation with Fernandez, who joined the club from Benfica for £107m in 2023, but declined to disclose what they discussed.
The midfielder came on as a second-half substitute during Monday’s 3-2 win over Fulham and faced boos from home supporters over his role in England’s World Cup exit. After celebrating briefly with the travelling fans and his teammates, Fernandez headed straight down the tunnel at the final whistle.
Coventry sign Pinnock from Brentford
Meanwhile, Coventry City have completed the signing of Jamaica centre-back Ethan Pinnock from Brentford for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £6m.
The 33-year-old joins the Sky Blues after six years with Brentford, where he made 216 appearances and scored 12 goals. He arrived at the West London club from Barnsley in 2019 and played an important role in their promotion to the Premier League.
Pinnock, however, lost his regular place in Brentford’s starting side and made only eight appearances in all competitions last season.
“I’m really excited to join Coventry City and continue my footballing journey with this great club,” Pinnock said.
“After 25 years, the club are back in the Premier League, and I know how much it must mean to everyone involved. I can’t wait to be part of it.”
Pinnock becomes Coventry’s 10th signing of the summer and their second defensive addition after Aurele Amenda arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in July.
He also joins former Brentford teammate Frank Onyeka at Coventry. The Sky Blues have spent more than £100m this summer as they prepare for their return to the Premier League.
Chelsea make Martinez enquiries
Chelsea are also considering a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after making contact with the Argentina international’s representatives.
Villa could allow the 33-year-old to leave after signing Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for around £30m earlier this month.
A move for Martinez could lead to further business between Chelsea and Villa. Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers for a club-record £117m, while Alejandro Garnacho moved in the opposite direction on an initial loan deal. Nicolas Jackson, valued at around £65m, could also join Villa and reunite with former manager Unai Emery.
The clubs have developed a strong transfer relationship and previously completed a deal widely described as a PSR swap, which took Ian Maatsen to Villa and Omari Kellyman to Chelsea.
Juventus also tried to sign Martinez earlier in the window, but the move collapsed amid concerns over a finger injury. The Italian club instead signed Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan.
Chelsea’s interest comes amid growing concerns over Robert Sanchez’s recent performances. The Spaniard was beaten at his near post by Josh King against Fulham before spilling another effort into a dangerous area, allowing Gonzalo Garcia to score in Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Craven Cottage.
Chelsea’s second-choice goalkeeper Mike Penders, who returned from a successful loan spell at Strasbourg this summer, could start against Luton.
Manchester City midfielder Nico O’Reilly has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season.
The 21-year-old was announced as the winner at the 53rd annual PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Tuesday.
O’Reilly emerged ahead of five other nominees after players voted for their preferred candidate in the category.
The other nominees were Manchester City teammate Rayan Cherki, Arsenal youngster Max Dowman, Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha.
The PFA Young Player of the Year award is determined by votes from professional footballers, with players recognising the outstanding young performers from the season.
O’Reilly enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with City, featuring in 53 matches across competitions and contributing directly to 15 goals. He impressed in both midfield and at left-back during the season.
His performances had already earned him the Premier League Young Player of the Season award, with the league describing the England international as one of the standout young players of the 2025/26 campaign.
O’Reilly was also instrumental in Manchester City’s domestic campaign, including scoring both goals in the club’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
His latest recognition makes him one of the young players to have enjoyed the biggest breakthrough seasons in English football, having established himself as an important member of Pep Guardiola’s squad.
O’Reilly’s victory also means Manchester City continue their strong record in the PFA Young Player of the Year category, with the club having produced previous winners including Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.
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