Galatasaray suffered a significant 1-0 home defeat to Royale Union SG in the fifth round of the UEFA Champions League, a result largely attributed to the crucial absence of star striker Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian international has been sidelined for Galatasaray's last two matches, including this pivotal European fixture at Rams Park and a Super Lig clash with Gençlerbirliği, after sustaining a minor hamstring injury during the recent international break while representing Nigeria.

Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney, speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, heavily emphasized Osimhen's irreplaceable importance to Galatasaray. Deeney, who scored 47 Premier League goals for Watford, stated, "You just can't underplay his importance to the team." He further asserted Osimhen's elite status, remarking, "Osimhen is one of the top five strikers in world football," and, "I look at Victor Osimhen, and with all due respect, I think he's too good to be playing at Galatasaray." Deeney underscored that without a player of Osimhen's caliber, a team "can’t just pull anybody from the bench," highlighting the void left in Galatasaray's attack and the urgent need to get him back.

The defeat unmistakably demonstrated Galatasaray's profound reliance on the Nigerian forward. The team boasts a perfect record in the Champions League matches where Osimhen has featured this season, winning every game. Conversely, they have lost both matches he has missed. Osimhen leads the UEFA Champions League scoring charts with an impressive six goals in just three appearances and is also Galatasaray's overall top scorer this season, underscoring his critical offensive contribution. In his absence, Mauro Icardi, who led the line against Royale Union SG, struggled to make a significant impact, and the home side ultimately failed to find a cutting edge. The lone goal of the match was scored by Promise David, a Nigerian-born Canadian forward for Union Saint-Gilloise, just before the hour mark, further compounding Galatasaray's woes, which worsened when Arda Unayacc was sent off late in the game, forcing Galatasaray to finish with ten men.

Galatasaray fans have voiced deep frustration and criticism regarding the club's squad planning following this painful Champions League defeat. Supporters lamented the perceived "narrowest squad in history" despite a Turkish football record of €170 million expenditure, questioning the club's strategy in light of Osimhen's injury-prone reputation. Fan sentiments highlighted the lack of depth, with one supporter stating, "If your squad is that narrow, you can’t build a team when three players are injured. Even if you set up barely, you have no substitutes. Osimhen is not a one-man show; he’s a talent who could lift the team with the right cast. We’ve only won matches because of him. There is nothing else." The chorus of discontent calls for the club to learn from this costly defeat and address squad depth and strategic foresight ahead of the January transfer window. Osimhen is expected to be re-evaluated soon to ascertain his availability for upcoming fixtures, including a Super Lig derby against Fenerbahce and a Champions League game against Monaco.

Beyond Galatasaray's immediate concerns, the UEFA Champions League matchday five also saw other Nigerian players in action or on the sidelines. Nathan Tella made a late appearance for Bayer Leverkusen in their impressive 2-0 victory over Manchester City. Carney Chukwuemeka came off the bench for Borussia Dortmund in their 4-0 rout of Villarreal. Other players of Nigerian heritage included Tosin Adarabioyo (unused substitute for Chelsea), Tyrique George (late feature for Chelsea), Igoh Ogbu (unused substitute for Slavia Prague), and David Moses (played 90 minutes for Slavia). Upcoming fixtures were also noted to potentially feature George Ilenikhena for Monaco, Ademola Lookman and Honest Ahanor for Atalanta, Bruno Onyemaechi for Olympiacos, and Raphael Onyedika for Sporting CP.