SUPER Eagles forward Victor Osimhen delivered a standout performance in one of Turkey’s fiercest rivalries, finding the net as Galatasaray secured a commanding 2–0 victory over city rivals Fenerbahçe at RAMs Park on Sunday night.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the high-intensity encounter began with early drama as Fenerbahçe were handed a chance to take the lead in the 11th minute. However, Anderson Talisca failed to convert from the penalty spot, a miss that would later prove costly for the visitors.
Galatasaray capitalised on that reprieve, with Osimhen breaking the deadlock five minutes before halftime. The striker showed composure in front of goal to finish clinically, registering his 13th league goal of the campaign and further underlining his importance to the team.
Osimhen appeared to have doubled his tally in the 53rd minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside after a brief review. Nonetheless, the home side maintained control of proceedings and extended their advantage in the 67th minute when Barış Alper Yılmaz calmly converted a penalty.
The victory was sealed late on as Lucas Torreira added a third goal three minutes from time, capping a dominant performance for the hosts.
Under the guidance of head coach Okan Buruk, Galatasaray have now opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the table, strengthening their grip on the title race following the derby triumph.
While Osimhen continues to impress in Turkey, his former club Napoli are reflecting on what might have been, with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis admitting that the Italian side made a costly mistake in handling the striker’s departure.
Osimhen, who joined Napoli from Lille OSC in 2020 for €70 million, established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards during his time in Italy.
The Nigeria international scored 76 goals in 133 appearances and played a pivotal role in Napoli’s historic Serie A title-winning campaign in 2022–23 — their first in over four decades.
His impressive partnership with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia attracted interest from top European clubs, but a major transfer failed to materialise at the time.
Speaking to The Athletic, De Laurentiis revealed that Paris Saint-Germain had offered a combined €200 million for Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia in 2024. However, Napoli declined the offer following the arrival of head coach Antonio Conte.
“Conte told me we could sell Osimhen but not Kvaratskhelia,” De Laurentiis said. “That was a big mistake.”
Instead, Osimhen departed on loan to Galatasaray before completing a permanent transfer reportedly worth around €70 million. Kvaratskhelia was later sold to PSG for a similar fee in January 2025.
The Napoli president acknowledged that accepting PSG’s earlier offer could have generated approximately €60 million more for the club, describing it as a missed financial opportunity.
He also pointed to contractual complications, including tensions with Kvaratskhelia’s representatives and concerns over FIFA regulations that might have allowed the player to leave for a reduced fee.
Osimhen’s exit came during a turbulent period for Napoli, as their title defence faltered amid managerial instability and off-field controversies. The striker himself later criticised the club’s handling of his departure.
Now 27, Osimhen appears to have rediscovered his form at Galatasaray, playing a key role in their domestic campaign. Despite his resurgence in Turkey, speculation continues to swirl about a potential move to another European heavyweight, as his performances keep attracting attention across the continent.
For now, however, the Nigerian forward remains focused on delivering results on the pitch—while his former club continues to reckon with the consequences of a decision they now openly regret.