No Victor Osimhen no party: Galatasaray stumble in title race after poor Kocaelispor result

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is facing the looming reality of a trophyless season at Galatasaray, Soccernet.ng reports.

This follows a disappointing 1-1 draw against mid-table Kocaelispor at Rams Park on Sunday.

​It was a performance the Cimbom faithful will be eager to forget, as they lacked bite and incision in the final third for most of the game.

The hosts initially looked in control after taking the lead in the 30th minute. Leroy Sané provided the breakthrough, converting a fine header from an inch-perfect Ismail Jakobs cross—a lead they maintained going into the break.

​However, the momentum shifted after the restart. Kocaelispor grew in confidence, carving out dangerous openings before eventually finding an equalizer through Bruno Petkovic in the 72nd minute.

Following the leveler, Galatasaray’s attack stagnated; they failed to breach the Kocaelispor backline, resorting to aimless crosses and poor balls into the channels until the final whistle. The game eventually ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Watch Galatasaray vs Kocaelispor Highlights

​A Big Victor Osimhen Void

​The absence of Victor Osimhen was glaring. The Nigerian forward remains sidelined while recovering from a forearm fracture sustained last month, an injury expected to keep him out for several more fixtures.

​On a night where Galatasaray struggled for inspiration, they desperately missed a player of Osimhen’s profile—someone capable of conjuring magic from nothing, battling defenders in the box, or making the most of the team's wayward service.

Coach Okan Buruk deployed Baris Alper Yilmaz as a makeshift striker, but the experiment failed to yield results. Even the introduction of Mauro Icardi did little to swing the momentum back in Galatasaray's favor.

​The Race for the Super Lig Crown Blown Open

​The title race has been blown wide open. Following a loss to Trabzonspor earlier this month and this latest draw, Galatasaray’s lead at the summit has shrunk to just two points over arch-rivals Fenerbahce.

​With the Istanbul derby looming in two weeks, Fenerbahce now hold their destiny in their own hands. Should they win their five remaining matches, they will be crowned the champions of Turkey. Meanwhile, Trabzonspor remain in the hunt, ready to pounce should either Istanbul giant stumble further.

​This marks a significant decline for the Cimbom, who were considered clear favorites.just a few weeks ago. As the Super Lig title race reaches a fever pitch, Osimhen will be hoping for a swift return to help secure another trophy for his