Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen endured a frustrating outing as Galatasaray secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Genclerbirligi in their Turkish Super Lig encounter at the Eryaman Stadium in Ankara on Saturday.
The reigning champions needed a late own goal from goalkeeper Irfan Can Egribayat to claim all three points in the Matchweek 8 fixture after the hosts kept Osimhen from finding the net.
The 27-year-old Nigerian played the full 90 minutes and was Galatasaray’s biggest attacking threat, recording seven shots, although only two were on target.
Two attempts were blocked, while three missed the target.
Osimhen also registered 10 touches inside the opposition box, more than any other player, but repeatedly came up against an inspired Egribayat.
One of the goalkeeper’s best interventions came when he denied the forward from close range with a save against a header that appeared destined for the net. Osimhen reacted by clutching his head in disbelief.
As the match progressed, Genclerbirligi maintained their physical approach, making it increasingly difficult for the Nigerian to find space and convert his opportunities.
The hosts looked set to earn a draw until the 88th minute, when substitute Deniz Gül applied pressure and Egribayat mishandled the ball, turning it into his own net to give Galatasaray a late victory.
The result offered some relief to the Turkish champions following their 4-1 home defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, which left them without a point after their opening two matches in the competition.
Despite failing to score, Osimhen contributed beyond his attempts on goal.
He made two key passes, created a big chance that his teammates failed to convert, won six of his 10 duels and completed 75 per cent of his passes.
He also recorded one clearance and one recovery, earning a Sofascore rating of 6.8. The striker was booked for excessive celebration following Galatasaray’s winning goal.
The blank ended Osimhen’s run of scoring or providing an assist in each of his previous 18 league matches for Galatasaray, a streak that began in December.
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During that period, he scored 18 goals and registered eight assists.
The forward had returned from a 35-day injury layoff last weekend and also provided an assist in that match.
Galatasaray goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır was the standout performer, making six saves, including four inside the box, to earn a rating of 8.8, the highest of any player.
Galatasaray now face Lille in the Champions League and Fenerbahçe in the league over the next nine days, with Osimhen hoping to rediscover his scoring touch ahead of the demanding fixtures.
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