Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will be unavailable for Galatasaray’s UEFA Europa League Round of 16 playoff first-leg match against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday due to suspension.
The Super Eagles forward, who has been in top form since moving to the Turkish club on loan from Napoli, received his third yellow card of the season during Galatasaray’s 2-1 loss to Ajax. Despite scoring a late goal in that match, the booking means he is now ruled out of the important fixture at the AFAS Stadion.
Osimhen has been a key player for Galatasaray in the competition, scoring five goals in six Europa League appearances this season. His overall record in the tournament stands at nine goals in 14 matches, making him one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition. He is just two goals behind the leading scorers, showing his impressive impact.
His absence is a setback for Galatasaray, who have struggled in recent matches. After a strong start in the group stage, the Turkish side dropped into the playoff round following two draws and a defeat in their final three group games. This poor run of form saw them finish 14th in the overall standings, making their path to the next round more difficult.
