Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has confessed that he experiences “tremendous tension” whenever Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen departs for international duty.
Osimhen, a vital player for both club and country, has been sidelined for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa after sustaining an injury during the 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday.
Commenting on the development, Buruk said the Turkish champions are keeping a close eye on the striker’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,” Buruk told Now Spor, as quoted by habersarikirmizi.
He also detailed the unease he feels whenever the 25-year-old joins the national team.
“I always have fears about sending him to the national team, but tonight we experienced a bit of that. 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 the Super Eagles as they prepare to face Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday in their quest for a World Cup berth.