The Nigerian striker scored twice to rescue the Turkish champions from defeat but demanded greater urgency ahead of a demanding season

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has issued a strong Osimhen Galatasaray warning after his two goals rescued the Turkish champions from an opening-day defeat against newly promoted Çorum in the 2026/27 season.

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Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray were held to a 2-2 draw, earning only one point from their first league fixture and leaving the Nigerian forward frustrated despite his decisive individual contribution.

The 27-year-old striker described the result as a disappointment and urged his teammates to treat the unexpected setback as an early warning ahead of a demanding campaign.

“It’s a disappointment. We didn’t see a small opponent. Such opponents are difficult. We knew they would force it, and so it happened,” Osimhen said after the match, according to Premium Times.

“We need to wake up. We are experiencing disappointment. Let this be a wake-up call. We know that all the next matches will be difficult.”

Galatasaray initially appeared on course for victory after Osimhen put the hosts ahead in the second half.

Çorum responded with two quick goals to turn the contest around, before Osimhen struck again to prevent the champions from suffering a damaging defeat on the opening weekend.

The brace underlined the Nigerian’s importance to Galatasaray, but Osimhen made clear that his goals could not disguise shortcomings in the team’s overall performance.

“It will be a tough season. We are aware of this as a team. I am ready to give my all for the club,” he said.

“I think this was an important game for waking up. We have a lot of things to work on as players. We need to give everything on the field.”

The result comes as Galatasaray prepare to balance their domestic title ambitions with European football, making an early improvement particularly important as the Champions League campaign approaches.

Osimhen called for the team to build momentum quickly and acknowledged the role of supporters in helping the champions recover.

“Our fans give us incredible energy and they are always behind us. We also need to pay for that,” he said.

“We need to gain momentum before the Champions League. We need to fight very well from the next first match.”

The striker was also asked about the continued transfer speculation surrounding his future, but he remained measured and insisted that the rumours would not distract him from his responsibilities at Galatasaray.

“There are always rumours during transfer seasons. I will take care of my business. I’m focused on my work,” Osimhen said.

“We will see and think about it later.”

Osimhen’s response reflects the expectations surrounding the Nigerian after his impressive contribution to Galatasaray’s previous campaign and his importance to the club’s ambitions.

Rather than allowing the opening-day disappointment to define the season, the forward wants the result to serve as a valuable lesson.

For Galatasaray, however, the message is clear. A team seeking domestic success while competing in Europe cannot afford repeated lapses of concentration, even against newly promoted opposition.

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Osimhen has already provided the goals. Now, he wants the Turkish champions to provide the performance to match them.