'I have to travel' — Osimhen brushes off disallowed goal and loss to focus on Super Eagles duty

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen has dismissed the frustration following his disallowed goal and Galatasaray’s shock defeat, confirming his focus now shifts entirely to the Super Eagles’ World Cup Playoff campaign.

The Nigerian international has emerged injury-free and is set to join the Super Eagles camp for the crucial FIFA World Cup playoffs, despite his club Galatasaray suffering a controversial 1-0 loss to newly promoted Kocaelispor on Sunday.

The star striker played the full 90 minutes in a deeply frustrating match for the defending Turkish Super Lig champions, who crashed to their first league defeat of the season. The result was marred by a late VAR intervention that robbed Osimhen of a vital equaliser.

Osimhen appeared to have secured a late goal in the second half with a well-taken finish, only for the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to rule the strike out.

The goal was disallowed after his teammate, Sara, was judged to be in an offside position during the build-up, a marginal decision that sparked widespread anger among the Galatasaray players and supporters.

Despite the controversial setback in the title race, the most significant relief for Nigerian fans is the news that Osimhen completed the match without injury, providing a major boost to national team coach Eric Chelle.

Reporters caught up with the star striker moments after the game, and his immediate attention was firmly fixed on his upcoming international responsibilities.

“I have to travel, I have to travel,” Osimhen told reporters, captured in a video that quickly circulated online, emphasising the immediate shift in his schedule.

When asked about the controversial disallowed goal that cost his team a point, the 26-year-old was philosophical. “The game has happened, I have moved on from that. Now I focus on my national team.”

With the club match behind him, Osimhen remains in the hunt for the domestic Golden Boot, though he now trails compatriot Paul Onuachu by five goals.

Onuachu recently netted his eighth goal of the campaign for Trabzonspor in their draw with Alanyaspor.

Osimhen will now turn his attention fully to the national team, joining the squad named by Chelle as the Super Eagles prepare for their critical World Cup playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.

His leadership and goal-scoring threat will be paramount if Nigeria is to advance one step closer to securing a spot at the 2026 World Cup.