Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen finally opened his Galatasaray account as he scored a brace in their disappointing 3-3 draw at home to Kasimpasa at Rams Park on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who joined the Turkish champions in a season-long loan deal this summer, has been in search of his first goal for the club having provided an assist in each of his previous three matches.
Osimhen got the first of his two goals in the 20th minute off a well-executed cross from Turkiye international Abdulkerim Bardakcı. The Nigerian’s first touch inside the box wrongfooted the goalkeeper and he didn’t have much to do as he watched the ball cross over the goal line.
The Napoli loanee got his second goal eight minutes later with a peach of a strike from inside the box. After some nice interchange in the Galatasaray half, Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Sara found Osimhen with a sublime pass but the Nigerian still had some work to do as he controlled the ball on his knee before firing a fierce left-footed strike into the roof of the net.
Big comeback from the visitors and we will have to share points. #GSvKAS pic.twitter.com/XoZi3I43mq
— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) September 28, 2024
Argentine forward Mauro Icardi made it three to the hosts six minutes later off an assist from Senegalese full-back Ismail Jakobs. However, Jakobs’ countryman Mamadou Fall drew one back for Kasimpasa in the 44th minute to make for a poised second half.
Osimhen, however, could not continue as the Super Eagles forward was replaced by former Napoli teammate Dries Mertens heading into the second half, having picked up an injury. The game changed from there on out as Galatasaray were unable to trouble the visitors anymore.
Macedonian midfielder Haris Hajradinovic reduced the deficit once more for Kasimpasa from the penalty spot in the 81st minute before turning provider for Cape Verde international Nuno da Costa to draw the visitors level in the fifth minute of stoppage time to shock of the host and their home fans.
Despite the stalemate, Okan Buruk’s Galatasaray still sit atop the Turkish Super Lig standings with 19 points from seven games, four more than Samsunspor in second place.
The team will, however, be sweating over the fitness of Osimhen as they will be in Europa League action on Thursday against Latvian club RFS before hosting Alayanspor in the league on Sunday, October 6, before the international break.
