Julius OkorieSuper Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, was in his element on Wednesday night as he fired Galatasaray to victory in the Turkish Cup final.
The on loan Napoli star, who has become fans favourite at Galatasaray, scored a brace as the Istanbul giants disarmed Trabzonspor 3-0 to clinch the title for the sixth time since 2000 and 19th time in total.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelTeammate Barış Yılmaz had opened scoring as early as the fifth minute as if to tell their opponents they have stormed the venue for serious business, before Osimhen took over the goal feast, delivering in the 46th and 63rd minutes respectively.
Home boy Yunus Akgün was a partner in progress providing assists for both Yilmaz and Osimhen in their exploits against Trabzonspor. Osimhen did not only ginger the side to win the cup but also broke existing goal record.
The former Lille star had entered the final at the Gaziantep Stadium with 33 goals in all competitions, just one shy of Mario Jardel’s long-standing record of 34 goals in a single season by a foreign player, set in the 2000/01 campaign.
First, he equalled and then surpassed the record with his brace of the night bringing his tally to 35 goals in 38 appearances during a landmark debut season in Turkey.
With the brace, Osimhen not only helped Galatasaray lift their sixth Turkish Cup since 2000 but also climbed up the club’s list of all-time foreign goalscorers.
He has now surpassed Mario Jardel and is closing in on the top ranks, though Romanian legend, Gheorghe Hagi, remains the leading foreign scorer with 72 goals.
The victory Wednesday night in the Turkish Cup has further widened the gap between Galatasaray and other winners of the prestigious cup and remains the most successful side in the competition’s history with 19 titles in the kitty, ahead of Beşiktaş (11), Trabzonspor (9), and Fenerbahçe (7).
Recall that Osimhen equally scored a goal in the 5-0 demolition of Konyaspor in the Semi-finals leading to Wednesday night triumph.
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Harvest of goodies have not ended this season for Osimhen as Galatasaray are eyeing a domestic double when they host Kayserispor on Sunday. A win would confirm their 25th league title and their first double since the 1998/99 season.
Galatasaray lead the Turkish Süper Lig table with 86 points in 33 matches with eight points gap ahead of second placed side Fenerbahce.
Meanwhile, the last has not been heard on Chelsea’s interest and pursuit of Osimhen, who is equally on the radar of many other clubs for possible transfer.
Chelsea have reportedly engaged in crucial negotiations with Victor Osimhen’s representatives with the intent on resolving a significant hurdle: the player’s demand for a €12 million annual salary.
This salary expectation has emerged as a central issue that could potentially thwart a summer transfer for Victor Osimhen.
Recent reports from Football Transfers indicate that while both Chelsea and Osimhen are enthusiastic about reaching an agreement, discussions concerning personal terms have proven tricky.
The report states, “Osimhen wants to join Chelsea, and Chelsea wants to sign Osimhen,” underscoring the mutual interest but highlighting that the wage demands present a complex challenge.
If there is one person who will be thrilled to see Osimhen land at the Stamford Bridge, it is compatriot and former Super Eagles Captain, John Obi Mikel. The Former Chelsea star has continued to hope that the moves happens, insisting that the African Footballer of the Year will be a super hit with the Blues in the EPL.
While suitors continue to rise for Osimhen, Galatasaray who are enjoying every bit of his stay with him, have turned Oliver Twist, asking for more. A fan of the club was seen holding a barner with a plea asking ‘Osimhen to Stay with Them.”
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
