Victor Osimhen: Ex-Galatasaray coach makes bold claim on Super Eagles striker – “He can be first”

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has been publicly ranked among the best forwards in world football by legendary former Galatasaray head coach Fatih Terim, Soccernet.ng reports.

Terim, who guided Galatasaray to their historic 2000 UEFA Cup triumph and remains arguably the most decorated Turkish head coach in the club's history, dedicated his most recent analysis to the Galatasaray squad ahead of a Süper Lig meeting with Trabzonspor this weekend.

His comments on Osimhen was special, going as far as to place the 27-year-old Nigerian on the top tier of global strikers, while his praise for the club's new summer signing Rafael Leão added a specific tactical dimension.

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Fatih Terim: ‘Osimhen is among the very best in the world'

The former Galatasaray boss did not hold back in his assessment of Osimhen's individual quality, describing the Nigerian as an extraordinary centre-forward at the very top of the global game.

“Osimhen is an extraordinary centre-forward, one of the very best in the world,” Terim said.

“As long as he stays focused on the game, competing against him one-on-one is really very difficult.

“Even when he doesn't have it in mind, even when there is no clear position, he can produce a goal.

“He is a forward who earns his bread the hard way. As an opponent, if you make the slightest mistake, he punishes you immediately. He is a completely different player.”

Terim's warning to Victor Osimhen

The ex-Galatasaray boss also delivered a specific behavioural warning aimed directly at the Nigerian's on-pitch composure, urging Osimhen to avoid the emotional turbulence that has occasionally put question marks on his career.

“As long as he doesn't get unnecessarily angry and doesn't put unnecessary stress on himself,” the 73-year-old added.

Alongside his Osimhen verdict, Terim used the same analysis to deliver an assessment of Galatasaray's headline summer, Rafael Leão.

“His ability to beat opponents is at the highest level and he has serious physical strength,” Terim said of Leão.

“If I were the head coach, whether his performance is good or bad, he would be among the first players I would always put on the pitch,” he concluded

Victor Osimhen is currently sidelined with the groin injury sustained during Galatasaray's 3-2 Süper Lig win over Basaksehir, and will play no part in the club's Trabzonspor meeting this weekend.

However, the former Napoli striker was included in Nigeria's AFCON 2027 qualifiers squad ahead of the fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau later this month.