Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has admitted he feels “tremendous tension” whenever Victor Osimhen goes on international duty, as the striker’s injury rules him out of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has admitted he develops “tremendous tension” whenever Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen leaves for international duty.
Osimhen, a key player for both club and country, has been ruled out of Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa after sustaining an injury in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo.
Reacting to the development, Buruk said the Turkish champions are closely monitoring the 25-year-old’s condition. “If there is a problem with Osimhen, we want to send a plane immediately and bring him back to Türkiye. We hope it’s nothing serious,” he told Now Spor, as quoted by habersarikirmizi.
Buruk further revealed the anxiety he feels during the forward’s international outings. “I always have fears about sending him to the national team… I was at dinner when the waiter came to me with a phone in his hand and showed me the news about Osimhen. We reached him, and the information we received is that he has pain in his foot.”
Osimhen’s absence is a major setback for Nigeria ahead of Tuesday’s clash with South Africa in Bloemfontein.