Gala coach: Osimhen must play all matches, except...

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen will have to play all Galatasaray matches except when seriously injured or unavailable, report www.sportsunlimited.ng.

This is the latest decision of coach Okan Buruk after the team slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Konyaspor at the weekend.

​The decision follows heavy backlash from supporters after a shock 2-0 defeat to Konyaspor in the Turkish Super League on Saturday.

​Osimhen missed training sessions last Thursday and Friday after experiencing knee discomfort and was left out of the clash as a precautionary measure.

Unfortunately for them, his absence was glaring. Despite fielding several high-profile stars, yhe reigning Turkish kings struggled without their talisman as they wobbled and fumbled to their second league defeat of the season.

Fans were quick to criticize Buruk and the Galatasaray management, as the loss cost the team a golden opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table.

​With Fenerbahce securing a 1-1 draw against Kasimpasa on Monday, Galatasaray’s lead at the summit was reduced to just two points. And with only 11 games remaining, the title race in the Super Lig has hit a boiling point.

Due to the current points difference between the two sides, Galatasaray can no longer afford any slip-ups, as Fenerbahce will be happy to pounce. As such, Osimhen will keep playing unless he has a serious injury.

Losing the Super Lig would be a major blow to the club and the fans, considering the massive investments the board has put into the club in the last two years, getting the likes of Osimhen, Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan, Wilfred Singo, and others.

Four of Galatasaray's defeats this season occurred when the Super Eagles striker was unavailable, either due to injury or while representing Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Meanwhile, ​the 27-year-old returned to training on Monday, and Galatasaray fans will be hoping he is fit enough to start Wednesday's crucial UEFA Champions League playoff second leg against Juventus.

The Turkish champions hold a commanding three-goal lead from the first leg and, barring a major collapse, are expected to progress to the Round of 16, where they could face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.