Victor Osimhen: Galatasaray of Turkey Striker Under Investigation Ahead of AFCON 2025
- Victor Osimhen is under investigation in Turkey after the Nigerian international received a yellow card against Antalyaspor
- The Nigerian international had walked a tight rope before the fixture, having been cautioned against some upcoming games
- The Osimhen matter is set to be referred to the Turkish Football Federation Disciplinary Committee under Article 37
Victor Osimhen has sparked an investigation in Turkey as he is set to depart to join his international teammates for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
There are allegations that the Nigerian striker deliberately engineered a suspension, days before his departure to Morocco for the continental showpiece.
The 2023 African Player of the Year received a yellow card for pulling an opponent's shirt, with the caution automatically attracting a match suspension.
Source: Getty Images
Heading into the Super Lig clash against Antalyaspor, Osimhen had been walking the tight rope, having received yellow cards against Besiktas, Kocaelispor, and Fenerbahce.
Consequently, he will miss next weekend's game against Kasimpasa, but Turkish outlet Gazete Gercek has reported that the striker now faces an investigation.
The scenario could be referred to the Turkish Football Federation Disciplinary Committee (PFDK) under Article 37, which covers cases of players allegedly 'deliberately receiving a yellow card'.
It states that any player found to have intentionally picked up a yellow or red card to face disciplinary action in subsequent matches and is liable to receive a two-match ban.
Meanwhile, Osimhen is billed to fly directly to Morocco, where he will join his Nigerian international teammates, ahead of the 2025 AFCON tournament.
The Super Eagles are billed to engage the Pharaohs of Egypt in an international friendly slated for December 16 at the Cairo International Stadium, with the tournament kicking off on December 21, 2025.
Reports have it that Osimhen and some of the key players in the team will not be available for the pre-AFCON fixture.
According to Yahoo, several key players have opted to skip the fixture, with Moses Simon set to join the squad directly in Morocco after the match against Egypt.
The Super Eagles technical crew will use the fixture to give playing time to fresh faces, while relying on a few regulars to maintain team balance.
It was gathered that Wilfred Ndidi will be in action with goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabali.
Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, an official of the Nigeria Football Federation stated that several players have reached out to complain about the timing of the match.
He explained that the players are unhappy about travelling to Cairo for the friendly and then returning to Morocco for AFCON preparations, explaining:
"I must be very honest, the players are not happy that they will have to first fly to Egypt before heading to Morocco after the game.
"The players said they will be tired by the time they get to Morocco, less than 48 hours to their first match, because of too much travel. Some of them are coming from different parts of Europe, and the journey will be very tedious."
Sodje sends message to Eric Chelle
Legit.ng earlier reported Sam Sodje had issued a strong warning to Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
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The former Nigerian international warned the manager not to over-depend on Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen for goals heading into the tournament.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
