Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has thrown his support behind Galatasaray goalkeeper Günay Güvenç following the team’s 2-0 defeat to Gençlerbirliği in the quarterfinal of the Ziraat Türkiye Cup.

Güvenç endured a difficult outing; drawing boos from sections of the fans after a costly mistake that led to the second goal, leaving the goalkeeper visibly emotional at full time.

The decisive moment came in the closing stages when Güvenç failed to deal with a corner kick, inadvertently dropping the ball into the path of Adama Traoré, who calmly slotted home to seal the victory.

The error compounded an already frustrating night for Galatasaray and sparked a negative reaction from some supporters, with the goalkeeper seen in tears as he left the pitch.

Speaking after the match, Osimhen urged fans to show understanding and solidarity, emphasizing that mistakes are part of the game.

"We stand by Günay Güvenç. A single moment doesn't define a player; mistakes are part of football,” Osimhen said via NTV.

“These mistakes can never overshadow the effort, commitment, and passion he brings to the team. Football is a game full of ups and downs. What truly matters is how we react to these moments and how we support each other throughout this process. We thank our fans for their support."

The Nigeria international returned to action after recovering from a fractured arm sustained during a UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield Stadium.

Prior to his comeback, Victor Osimhen had been sidelined for 35 days, missing four league fixtures against Trabzonspor, Göztepe, Kocaelispor, and Gençlerbirliği.

He had been in outstanding form for the Yellow-Reds before the injury, making his return a significant boost for manager Okan Buruk.

Despite being unable to inspire a comeback in Wednesday’s defeat to Gençlerbirliği, the forward will be eager to rediscover his rhythm and play a key role in Galatasaray’s push for the league title.

Adeyemi Adewale