AFCON 2025
Pastor Yemi Davids of Global Impact Church has publicly criticised Victor Osimhen’s on-pitch conduct following Galatasaray’s 2-1 pre-season defeat to Villarreal in Istanbul. The clergyman’s comments came after the Super Eagles striker was involved in a heated altercation with a Villarreal defender, Santiago Murino during the friendly.
The incident occurred in the 37th minute as Osimhen made a run into the penalty area anticipating a cross from the flank. Murino blocked his path with standard defensive shielding, and the confrontation escalated into a physical altercation between the two players.
Osimhen had scored earlier in the match with a header, his second goal in as many pre-season friendlies for Galatasaray, before the incident overshadowed his performance. Galatasaray went on to lose the match 2-1.
Reacting on social media, Pastor Davids questioned whether top European clubs would continue to shy away from signing Osimhen because of incidents of this nature. He asked which responsible club would want a player with such conduct, and expressed hope that it would not become a limiting factor in an otherwise promising career.
The Clergyman described Osimhen’s behaviour during the altercation with a local lingua – “agbero” associated with street thugs in Southwest Nigeria.
The altercation has drawn wider criticism from Nigerian football fans online, with many urging Osimhen to manage his temperament better on the pitch. It marks the latest instance of disciplinary scrutiny surrounding the striker during Galatasaray’s pre-season campaign.
Galatasaray are set to begin their Turkish Super Lig title defence in a week. Osimhen’s physical fitness appears sharp heading into the new season, but the latest wave of criticism underlines ongoing concerns about his on-field temperament.
