Drama in Turkey: Osimhen, Onuachu Face Off as Galatasaray Star Bags €2M Windfall
Nigerian football fans are in for a treat this weekend as Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu prepare to face each other in one of the biggest fixtures of the Turkish Super Lig season.
Galatasaray will welcome Trabzonspor to Rams Park in Istanbul at 6 p.m. (WAT) later today for a top-of-the-table showdown that promises fireworks.
Galatasaray, unbeaten this season, sit at the top of the league with 28 points, level with rivals Fenerbahce. Trabzonspor are just five points behind in third place and will be hoping to cut the gap with a statement performance.
Even if Galatasaray lose, they will remain in first place, but Fenerbahce could leapfrog Trabzonspor if the visitors fail to take maximum points.
Osimhen and Onuachu are expected to play key roles for their sides. Osimhen, who netted 26 goals during his loan spell with Galatasaray last season, has had a slow start since making his move permanent.
He has scored three goals in seven league matches so far, missing three games due to injury, but has shone in Europe, scoring three goals in two Champions League games, including crucial wins against Liverpool and Bodo/Glimt.
Onuachu, meanwhile, has been firing on all cylinders for Trabzonspor. The towering striker has already scored seven league goals, provided one assist, and picked up two Goals of the Month awards. After leaving Southampton for a permanent move to Trabzonspor in January, he has quickly become one of the league’s most consistent performers.
While Onuachu may be in better form, Osimhen’s ability to rise to big occasions could make the difference on the night. Galatasaray hold the upper hand historically, with 30 wins in previous meetings to Trabzonspor’s 14, while 10 matches have ended in draws.
Away from the pitch, Osimhen is making headlines off it, too. The Galatasaray striker has signed a €2 million commercial deal to star in a Turkish real estate advert. Club president Dursun Özbek confirmed that the 25-year-old will feature in a promotional campaign for the “Next Level Kemer” project by Pasifik GYO in Kemerburgaz.
“Pasifik Holding and Galatasaray are in constant discussions to strengthen our relationship. We have also begun discussions regarding the Next Level Kemer project,” Özbek said during the sponsor event, which was attended by coach Okan Buruk. “Pasifik Holding will film a commercial for Victor Osimhen’s Next Level projects. As stated in our contract, Next Level will contribute approximately €2 million to this commercial.”
Osimhen’s arrival from Napoli for €75 million has proven a profitable investment for the Turkish champions. According to Sportx, the Nigerian’s goals and marketing influence have already generated an estimated €31 million for the club.