Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk has confirmed that Nigeria international Victor Osimhen will make his return to action on Friday against Karagumruk, even as controversy brews over the renaming of a mosque in Turkey after the striker.
Buruk explained that the €75 million summer signing was left out of Saturday’s 3–0 win over Gaziantep to allow him more time to regain full fitness.
“Osimhen had a five or six-day training period,” the manager told CNN Turk. “Playing during that period could have been risky for him. I spoke to him, and he indicated he preferred to rest for this match and target playing time in the next one.”
The 26-year-old, who joined from Napoli in a record-breaking deal, arrived late for pre-season following protracted transfer negotiations. He now looks set for his highly anticipated debut after returning to full training.
However, his arrival in Turkey has coincided with an unusual dispute. Worshippers at the Bulut Mosque in Konya have protested after the building was mistakenly listed on Google Maps as the “Victor Osimhen Mosque.”
“This has been the Bulut Mosque for 10 years. The name Victor Osimhen is a Christian name,” one congregant told Fanatik, calling on authorities to restore the mosque’s original listing. Another member of the community described the change as “an insult” and urged tighter controls to prevent similar incidents.
There is no indication that Osimhen was aware of or involved in the renaming, which appears to stem from incorrect user edits on Google Maps. Turkish authorities are being urged to correct the listing.
Osimhen, who scored 37 goals and provided eight assists in 41 appearances during his loan spell at Galatasaray last season, is now among the highest-paid players in Europe. His signing has been hailed as the biggest in Turkish football history.
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