Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, on Tuesday, set a new milestone in the UEFA Champions League as he became the first Nigerian player to reach double figures in the history of the competition (excluding qualifying).
The 26-year-old was named in manager Okan Buruk’s starting line-up as Turkish Super Lig giants, Galatasaray, welcomed reigning Premier League champions Liverpool to the Rams Park in a UCL match-day two encounter.
Osimhen, who was only making his first full start for the Red and Gold since returning from an ankle injury he picked up during Nigeria’s World Cup qualification double-header games against Rwanda and South Africa at the last international break, found the back of the net via a penalty in the 16th minute.
The centre referee had awarded a penalty to Galatasaray after Liverpool midfielder, Dominik Szoboszlai, had fouled in the area, with Osimhen beating Alisson Becker from 12 yards to open his account in Europe’s elite club competition for this season.
The goal took Osimhen’s tally to 10 goals in the Champions League proper.
He is followed by Obafemi Martins (nine goals), as well as Ademola Lookman, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, and Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who all have five goals.
The PUNCH