Victor Osimhen Returns to Galatasaray Training After Injury Ahead of Kasımpaşa Clash
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has returned to partial Galatasaray training after a groin injury, raising hopes he can feature against Kasımpaşa before the club’s Champions League clash with Barcelona.
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has taken a major step towards returning to competitive football after resuming partial team training with Galatasaray following a month-long injury layoff.
The 27-year-old Super Eagles forward joined his teammates for part of Tuesday's training session at Galatasaray's Kemerburgaz Metin Oktay Facilities as he continues his rehabilitation from a groin injury.
Osimhen's gradual return comes at an important point in Galatasaray's season, with the Turkish champions preparing to face Kasımpaşa in the Süper Lig on Friday, October 9, before hosting Spanish giants Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League four days later. (Punch Newspapers)
Osimhen resumes partial training
Galatasaray confirmed that Osimhen participated in the opening stages of the team's training session before switching to an individual programme designed by the club's medical staff.
The Nigerian striker took part in the warm-up, passing exercises and possession work with his teammates before continuing his recovery separately.
His return to group activity represents a significant improvement in his rehabilitation, although it does not yet guarantee that he will feature against Kasımpaşa.
The club is expected to carefully manage his workload as he rebuilds match fitness following the injury.
Osimhen's availability is particularly important to Galatasaray because of the quality of opposition awaiting them next week.
The Kasımpaşa fixture could provide an opportunity for him to regain competitive minutes before the much-anticipated Champions League encounter against Barcelona at RAMS Park.
Injury ended impressive start to season
Osimhen suffered the injury during Galatasaray's 3-2 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir on September 4.
The Nigerian had opened the scoring in that match before being substituted in the 33rd minute after experiencing discomfort.
Subsequent medical examinations showed that he had suffered a moderate-to-advanced strain involving the right adductor muscle, with bleeding in the groin area.
The injury forced him to miss several important matches, including Galatasaray's Champions League opener against Sporting CP as well as domestic league fixtures against Kocaelispor and Trabzonspor.
The timing of the injury was particularly frustrating because Osimhen had made an excellent start to the 2026/27 campaign.
Before being sidelined, he had scored six goals and supplied two assists in his first four Süper Lig appearances for Galatasaray.
His goalscoring form had established him as one of the club's most important attacking players, making his absence a significant concern for coach Okan Buruk.
Nigeria also felt Osimhen's absence
The injury also prevented Osimhen from representing Nigeria during the latest international window.
The striker was initially included in Eric Chelle's Super Eagles squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
However, his recovery progressed more slowly than initially expected, prompting Galatasaray's medical team to advise against his participation with Nigeria.
Osimhen subsequently withdrew from the squad, with Taiwo Awoniyi brought in as his replacement.
During the international break, Osimhen continued his rehabilitation in Lagos under the supervision of a physiotherapist while remaining in contact with Galatasaray's medical team.
His decision to remain out of international duty allowed him to concentrate fully on recovering from the injury and preparing for his return to club football.
Galatasaray missed their main striker
Osimhen's absence has been felt by Galatasaray, particularly in attack.
The Nigerian has become an important focal point for Buruk's system because of his pace, strength, movement and ability to finish chances.
Reports have noted that Galatasaray struggled to maintain their attacking effectiveness during his absence, suffering defeats against Sporting CP and Trabzonspor among the matches played without him. (Pulse Sports Nigeria)
The Turkish champions therefore have strong reasons to welcome his return, particularly with the Barcelona fixture approaching.
However, the club is unlikely to rush the striker back into action if medical assessments suggest he is not yet ready for a full competitive workload.
Kasımpaşa could mark comeback
Osimhen has been linked with a potential return against Kasımpaşa on Friday.
The fixture at RAMS Park has been identified as the target date for his return since September, when Turkish reports first indicated that his rehabilitation programme was designed around the October 9 match.
His participation, however, will ultimately depend on his fitness and the decision of the club's medical and coaching staff.
A short appearance against Kasımpaşa could allow Osimhen to gradually regain his match sharpness without immediately placing excessive physical demands on the recovering muscle.
That approach would also give Buruk the opportunity to assess his striker's condition before the considerably more demanding Champions League assignment.
Barcelona clash looms
Four days after the Kasımpaşa game, Galatasaray will welcome Barcelona for a Champions League encounter.
Osimhen's possible return therefore comes at an ideal time for the Istanbul club.
The Nigerian enjoyed an impressive Champions League campaign for Galatasaray last season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in 10 appearances, according to reports ahead of the new campaign. (Türkiye Today)
His physical presence could prove particularly valuable against Barcelona, although Galatasaray will first need to determine whether he can return without aggravating the injury.
For Osimhen, the priority is similarly clear: complete his rehabilitation, regain full fitness and return to competitive action without another setback.
A boost for Galatasaray and Nigeria
Osimhen's return to partial training provides encouragement for both Galatasaray and the Nigerian national team.
For Galatasaray, his comeback could restore a proven goalscorer ahead of a crucial run of domestic and European fixtures.
For Nigeria, his recovery offers hope that the striker will be fully fit for future Super Eagles assignments after missing the latest AFCON qualifiers.
For now, however, Osimhen's immediate focus remains Galatasaray.
His participation in partial team training is a positive sign, but the final decision on whether he plays against Kasımpaşa will depend on his recovery and medical assessment.
If his rehabilitation continues without complications, the Nigerian forward could soon return to the pitch after a frustrating spell on the sidelines - and potentially just in time for Galatasaray's biggest European test of the month.