'I don't have a serious injury' - Galatasaray striker Osimhen explains why he asked to be replaced

Victor Osimhen has revealed exactly why he asked to be replaced before the start of the second half during Galatasaray's 3-3 draw with Kasimpasa in a Turkish Super Lig encounter at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi RAMS Park on Saturday evening.

The Turkish champions lost their first points of the new season after throwing away a three-goal lead following the substitution of their marquee summer signing from Napoli.

After providing assists in three consecutive games, Osimhen scored his first goal in Galatasaray colours with twenty minutes played after a nice cross from Abdülkerim Bardakcı.

And eight minutes later, the Super Eagles striker controlled Sara's pass magnificently and unleashed a shot into the net.

Just before halftime, Osimhen signaled for a substitution due to a suspected injury and was replaced by Dries Mertens at the beginning of the second half.

The Nigeria international has made it clear that his injury is not serious contrary to initial reports, adding that he asked to be replaced because he was not performing at his best after picking up a knock.

"I do not have a serious injury. I felt a little discomfort. I thought I should tell my coach,” Osimhen was quoted as saying by Galatasaray's official website. 

“If I reduced the team, it would be bad. I did not want my other teammates' performance to decrease. I told Mauro and the coach. That is why I left the game."

Osimhen's reassuring statements will be music to the ears of Nigeria's interim manager Augustine Eguavoen, who has the forward in his plans for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Libya in October.

With his brace against Kasimpasa, Osimhen has now tallied five goal involvements (2 goals, 3 assists) for Galatasaray, becoming the first Lion player to register four or more goal contributions in his first three games in the Super Lig since Bafetimbi Gomis in 2017.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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