Osimhen returns from injury as Galatasaray crash out of Turkish Cup

Nigeria international Victor Osimhen made his long-awaited return from injury, but his comeback could not inspire Galatasaray to victory as they suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Gençlerbirliği in their Turkish Cup clash on Wednesday night.

The encounter, staged at Rams Park, saw the Nigerian striker make his first appearance after weeks on the sidelines following a forearm fracture sustained during a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Liverpool FC at Anfield.

Osimhen’s return was a major talking point heading into the fixture, offering a timely boost for both club and country. However, he was only introduced late in the contest, replacing Renato Nhaga with just over ten minutes left to play, at a point when the game had already slipped away from the hosts.

By then, Gençlerbirliği had firmly taken control of proceedings. Fıratcan Üzüm opened the scoring with a well-taken effort that stunned the home crowd, before Adama Traoré doubled the advantage to seal an impressive victory for the visitors.

Despite Osimhen’s late involvement, Galatasaray struggled to break down a disciplined defensive setup and lacked the cutting edge needed to mount a comeback. His brief cameo, though encouraging from a fitness standpoint, was not enough to change the outcome.

The result sees Galatasaray eliminated from the Turkish Cup, a bitter disappointment for a side that had ambitions of adding domestic silverware to their campaign. For Gençlerbirliği, however, it was a memorable night as they advanced to the next stage with confidence and momentum.

For Osimhen, the focus will now shift to regaining full match sharpness after his injury layoff. His return remains a significant positive for Galatasaray as they turn attention back to league duties, where his goals and presence will be crucial in the closing stages of the season.