Osimhen Shrugs Off VAR Frustration, Turns Focus to Super Eagles’ World Cup Mission

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen has brushed aside frustration from his disallowed goal and Galatasaray’s 1–0 loss to newly promoted Kocaelispor, insisting his focus is now on the Super Eagles’ World Cup playoff campaign.

The 26-year-old striker played the full 90 minutes in Sunday’s defeat — Galatasaray’s first of the season — which ended in controversy after his late equaliser was cancelled by VAR. The goal was ruled out because teammate Sara was deemed offside in the build-up, sparking protests from Galatasaray players and fans.

Despite the setback, Nigerian supporters have reason to smile as Osimhen finished the match without injury, a major boost for coach Eric Chelle ahead of Thursday’s semi-final clash against Gabon in Rabat, Morocco.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Osimhen was quick to shift attention to international duty. “I have to travel, I have to travel,” he said in a video that went viral after the match. Asked about the disallowed goal, he simply replied, “The game has happened, I have moved on from that. Now I focus on my national team.”

Osimhen also picked up a yellow card in the tense encounter but remains fully fit and ready to lead Nigeria’s attack.

In the Turkish league, he trails compatriot Paul Onuachu in the Golden Boot race — Onuachu has eight goals for Trabzonspor, five more than Osimhen. The two will now reunite in the Super Eagles camp as Nigeria pushes to move one step closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.