Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has dedicated Galatasaray’s 2–1 victory over arch-rivals Fenerbahçe to head coach Okan Buruk following their Turkish Süper Lig derby clash on Monday night.
Osimhen scored twice in the first half to lead Galatasaray to victory at RAMS Park in Istanbul, helping the defending champions secure three crucial points in one of Turkish football’s biggest rivalries.
Speaking after the match, the 27-year-old striker said the team wanted to present Buruk with victories over Lille and Fenerbahçe as birthday gifts. The Galatasaray manager recently celebrated his 53rd birthday.
“We love our coach Okan Buruk very much. Beyond being our technical director, we love him like a father,” Osimhen said, according to reports quoting Turkish media outlet Sporx.
He described Buruk as a good person both on and off the pitch, adding that the team was pleased to have delivered the results it had hoped for.
Osimhen opened the scoring in the 29th minute, finishing a pass from Barış Alper Yılmaz with a left-footed shot. He doubled Galatasaray’s lead in the 44th minute with a header after Davinson Sánchez redirected the ball towards goal.
Fenerbahçe reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute through İrfan Can Kahveci, who scored with an overhead kick. However, Galatasaray held on despite late pressure from their visitors to claim the 2–1 win.
The Nigerian international said winning derby matches was important to the club’s championship ambitions and praised the team’s performance and the supporters’ contribution to the victory.
“Winning derbies is crucial for becoming champions. We managed to win this big derby and get three points,” Osimhen said in comments published on Galatasaray’s official website. He also praised the fans for their support throughout the encounter.
The victory strengthened Galatasaray’s position at the top of the Turkish Süper Lig table, taking the club to 22 points after nine matches. Osimhen’s two goals also continued his strong start to the season, further establishing his importance to the team’s attack.
Osimhen also reaffirmed his commitment to Galatasaray, saying he was focused on the club and its supporters rather than discussions on social media.
The striker’s performance and public tribute to Buruk provided a memorable end to the derby, as Galatasaray celebrated a significant win over their Istanbul rivals.
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