Osimhen Forced Into Call-Up Despite Injury! Galatasaray's Plea Falls Flat

Turkish media outlet Fanatik reported on Friday that Galatasaray's request to the Nigerian Football Federation to exempt injured striker Victor Osimhen from international duty was denied. Osimhen was forced off with a right thigh muscle strain and pain at the 33rd minute in Galatasaray's fourth-round Turkish Super Lig match against Basaksehir, and has already missed two weeks of play, with another two weeks of recovery expected. Whether he will be fit for tomorrow's sixth-round match against Trabzonspor remains in doubt. Galatasaray leads the table on 13 points, while Trabzonspor sits ninth on 7 points. Nigeria will face Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and the federation insists on his call-up. The club fears an extended absence or a worsening of his injury.