Victor Osimhen Reaches 200 Goals as Galatasaray Crush Kayserispor 4-0
Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen added another chapter to his prolific career on Sunday, scoring his 200th professional goal in Galatasaray’s authoritative 4-0 defeat of Kayserispor, a result that further entrenched the Istanbul giants at the summit of the Turkish Super Lig.
The Super Eagles striker converted a penalty in the 26th minute to double Galatasaray’s lead and reach the landmark figure, which comprises 165 goals at club level across his spells in Europe and 35 for the national team. His all-action display earned him the Man of the Match award, as he combined clinical finishing with creative impetus in a performance that underlined his continuing influence both for club and country.
Galatasaray wasted little time in imposing themselves on the contest at RAMS Park. Sustained pressure in the opening stages forced an own goal from Kayserispor defender Aaron Opoku in the seventh minute, as the visitor turned a dangerous cross into his own net while attempting to clear.
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Osimhen’s direct involvement soon followed. Fouled inside the area midway through the first half, the 27-year-old stepped up to dispatch the resulting penalty with characteristic assurance, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and registering his historic 200th strike.
The Nigerian remained central to Galatasaray’s control after the interval. Just past the hour, he spearheaded a rapid counterattack, holding off defenders before releasing Gabriel Sara, who applied a composed finish to make it 3-0 and put the outcome beyond doubt.
The scoring was completed late in the second half when Galatasaray earned a second penalty, confidently converted by Mauro Icardi. Osimhen was withdrawn after 82 minutes, having left an indelible mark on proceedings.
Beyond the goal, the forward’s contribution was comprehensive: he completed 88 per cent of his passes, created two clear scoring opportunities, attempted seven shots on target, and registered an assist. Such numbers reflected not only individual excellence but also his integration into a Galatasaray side that has built its title challenge around collective intensity and attacking potency.
The victory maintained Galatasaray’s position as league leaders, extending their advantage over closest rivals and reinforcing their credentials in a competitive Super Lig campaign.
For Osimhen, the milestone arrives at a point of renewed momentum in his career. Born in Lagos in December 1998, he rose from humble beginnings in the Olusosun area, where he helped support his family before football provided an escape route. His talent emerged at the Ultimate Strikers Academy, leading to selection for Nigeria’s triumphant 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup squad. There, as a 16-year-old, he finished as top scorer with 10 goals, helping the Golden Eaglets secure a record fifth title.
That breakthrough earned a move to German side VfL Wolfsburg in 2017, though limited opportunities prompted a productive loan to Belgian club Charleroi in 2018-19, where he netted 20 times. A permanent transfer to Lille followed, and in his sole full season in France he scored 18 goals, attracting attention from across Europe.
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Napoli secured his services in 2020 for a club-record fee, and it was in Italy that Osimhen established himself among the continent’s elite forwards. He played a pivotal role in ending the club’s 33-year wait for a Serie A title in 2022-23, finishing as the league’s leading scorer with 26 goals the following season – becoming the first African to claim the Capocannoniere award.
Challenges emerged in subsequent campaigns, including injuries and contractual discussions, leading to a season-long loan to Galatasaray in 2024. The move to Turkey has proved restorative: Osimhen has adapted swiftly, becoming the fastest player in the club’s history to reach 50 goals and maintaining a scoring rate that has kept Galatasaray competitive on multiple fronts.
Internationally, his 35 goals for Nigeria place him among the Super Eagles’ most reliable marksmen in recent years, contributing to qualification campaigns and continental tournaments.
At 27, the 200-goal landmark positions Osimhen alongside Africa’s most accomplished modern forwards, a testament to consistency across leagues and contexts. As Galatasaray pursue domestic honours, his form continues to offer Nigeria optimism ahead of upcoming international commitments, with the striker remaining a central figure in the national team’s aspirations.