Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is closing in on a return to action for Galatasaray after making further progress in his recovery from a groin injury.
The Nigerian forward has continued his rehabilitation during the international break and could return to the Galatasaray squad when the Turkish champions host Kasımpaşa on Friday, October 9.
Osimhen has been sidelined since sustaining the injury during Galatasaray’s 3-2 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir on September 4.
The 27-year-old opened the scoring in that game with a powerful finish but was forced off in the 33rd minute after experiencing discomfort in his right groin.
Subsequent medical examinations confirmed a moderate to advanced strain with bleeding in the right adductor muscle group. Galatasaray immediately began treatment, with the injury forcing Osimhen to miss several matches.
His absence also ruled him out of Nigeria’s recent 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Osimhen had initially been included in Eric Chelle’s squad, but Galatasaray’s medical team advised against the striker joining the Super Eagles as his recovery was taking longer than initially expected. Taiwo Awoniyi was subsequently brought into the squad as his replacement.
The latest development has provided renewed optimism at Galatasaray.
Osimhen has now resumed partial team training, taking part in the opening stages of a session before continuing with an individual programme designed by the club’s medical staff.
His potential return against Kasımpaşa would come at an important time for Okan Buruk’s side.
The match is expected to serve as a competitive return for Osimhen before Galatasaray’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Barcelona, which is scheduled to follow four days later.
The Nigerian striker’s return would be a major boost for the Turkish champions, particularly because of the explosive form he displayed before his injury.
Osimhen scored six goals and provided two assists in his opening four Süper Lig appearances of the 2026/27 campaign, establishing himself as one of Galatasaray’s most important attacking players.
His absence has therefore created a significant gap in Buruk’s attack, with the coach having to rely on alternative options while the Nigerian completes his rehabilitation.
Osimhen’s planned return also comes with an even bigger test on the horizon.
Galatasaray are preparing to face Barcelona in the Champions League, meaning the Kasımpaşa fixture could give the striker valuable minutes and allow the club’s medical and coaching staff to assess his fitness before the European encounter.
However, Galatasaray are expected to manage his comeback carefully rather than immediately placing him under maximum workload.
The priority will be ensuring that the injury has fully healed and that Osimhen can return without suffering another setback.
For Nigeria, his recovery will also be closely monitored.
The Super Eagles will need their leading striker for the next phase of their international campaign, and a successful return to club football would give Chelle a significant boost ahead of future competitive fixtures.
Osimhen’s immediate target, therefore, is not simply to get back on the pitch but to regain the sharpness and physical condition that made him so influential at the beginning of the season.
If he receives the medical clearance to feature against Kasımpaşa, the match could mark the beginning of his return to full competitive football.
For Galatasaray, the timing could hardly be more important.
For Osimhen, it offers an opportunity to put an injury interruption behind him and resume the goalscoring form that made him one of the standout forwards in the opening weeks of the season.
