Bright Osayi-Samuel: Nigeria star returns to Fenerbahce, set for rivalry with Turkey’s Mert Müldür

The Nigeria international claimed a silver medal with the Super Eagles at the continental championship and is back for club duties

Fenerbahce has welcomed back Bright Osayi-Samuel following the defender's adventure at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.

Osayi-Samuel featured in five – against Equatorial Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Cameroon, and South Africa – of Nigeria's seven games at the AFCON.

The versatile full-back did not appear in the final, though, as the Super Eagles were beaten 2-1 by hosts Cote d'Ivoire to finish as runners-up.

Despite the disappointing result in the final, Osayi-Samuel, alongside his Super Eagles teammates, was conferred with one of the highest honours in the country – Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

Osayi-Samuel was also a recipient of a flat piece of land in the Federal Capital Territory as awarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

And after being away for more than a month, Osayi-Samuel has returned to Istanbul to rejoin Fenerbahce, as per the Star. 

Before leaving for the AFCON, Osayi-Samuel made 13 appearances in the Super Lig – he has two goals and one assist – and six in the Conference League for Fenerbahce.

However, in his absence, Austrian-born Turkey international Mert Müldür has impressed at right-back for Fener.

Osayi-Samuel will have to fight his way back to the first-team picture, with head coach İsmail Kartal having a difficult choice to make.

Fenerbahce are currently second on the Turkish Super Lig table with 64 points from 25 games, two points fewer than eternal rivals Galatasaray.