Former Fenerbahce coach lauds Victor Osimhen for one special attribute

Mar 9, 2026 - 21:00

Former Fenerbahce Assistant manager Önder Özen has heaped praise on Super Eagles striker for one specific feature, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 27-year-old exited Napoli in a very dramatic fashion as the club hierarchy were clearly in the way of his desire for a move abroad.

However, Galatasaray swooped in to secure Osimhen's services on the transfer deadline day, albeit only on a loan deal.

Victor Osimhen shows his frustration during a stoppage in play. Copyright: ImagoxBurakxBasturk

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The former LOSC Lille striker scored 37 goals and provided seven assists in his debut season, as fortune favoured Galatasaray's brave gamble.

He scored the most goals in the Turkish Super Lig last season, taking the golden boot, alongside the league title and the league cup.

Osimhen's brilliant season saw Galatasaray go all out to secure his services permanently. Okan Buruk's side splashed 75 million euros on the 2023 CAF Player of the Year, a record high for the club and the Turkish Super Lig as a whole.

Victor Osimhen during the UEFA Champions League game between Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid. Copyright: ImagoxSulaimanxPoojaxAdebayox

Önder Özen lauds Victor Osimhen's defensive efforts

The Nigerian striker scored the only goal in Galatasaray's 1-0 win over Besiktas in the weekend's Istanbul derby, and his defensive contribution wowed Ozen, who used to coach Fenerbahce.

“Galatasaray started the match at a moderate pace, with a controlled tempo. Okan Buruk continued without many changes in the game,” the 56-year-old said in quotes revealed by Haber Sari Kirmizi.

Victor Osimhen during the Africa Cup Of Nations Quarter-final match between Algeria and Nigeria at Marrakesh Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Marrakech, Morocco. Copyright: ImagoxSFSIx

“I found Uğurcan Çakır, Jakobs, and Abdülkerim Bardakcı diligent, while Leroy Sane and Osimhen were very decisive.
“Let's start from Bavaria and come to our region; Osimhen is the biggest centre-forward of this region.
“He contributed both to the offence and to the defence. He also cut off the connections that Beşiktaş had made from the defence to the midfield. He prevented Beşiktaş's flow,” the former Goztepe coach concluded.