Victor Osimhen's Early Return After Knee Surgery Planned

Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles forward, is expected to return to football sooner than anticipated following successful surgery on his left knee. The procedure was necessitated by a sprain sustained during a match against VfB Stuttgart, where an MRI revealed a free fragment in the knee.

The operation was conducted by Galatasaray's doctor, Yener Ince, at Maslak Acıbadem Hospital in Istanbul. Galatasaray announced that Osimhen's recovery will be closely monitored through daily assessments.

While he could potentially return for the Super Lig home match against Samsunspor on November 21, the club prefers to ensure he is fully fit before allowing him to play, targeting a comeback for the UEFA Champions League match against Aston Villa on November 24. Osimhen's injury is a significant setback for Nigeria's national team, as he will miss two crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Tanzania on November 13 and 17, which are vital for Nigeria's qualification efforts.