Reports from Turkish media indicate that Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles striker who recently made his much-anticipated debut for Galatasaray, may face restrictions regarding his protective face mask during matches in Turkey.
Despite playing a pivotal role in Galatasaray’s 4-1 victory over Çaykur Rizespor, providing a crucial assist, the mask has become controversial after an incident during the game. Khusniddin Alikulov of Çaykur Rizespor collided head-on with Osimhen and suffered a concussion. Although initial concerns about a facial fracture were dispelled, the situation has ignited a debate over whether Osimhen’s mask, which contains metal fasteners, poses a risk to other players.
Osimhen’s history of serious injuries adds to the scrutiny. In November 2021, he sustained a significant injury during a match against Inter Milan, requiring surgery that involved the insertion of six plates and 18 screws into his face after fracturing his eye socket and cheekbone. Following that incident, his club surgeon recommended a new, smaller protective mask.
While Turkish football officials have expressed concerns regarding the safety implications of the mask, no official decisions or reports have been issued as of yet.
One user on social media highlighted the issue, stating, “Osimhen’s mask is made of metal, and Alikulov’s cheekbone was broken. Someone could have been seriously injured. What are you doing, @TFF_Org?”
The situation continues to develop, as both player safety and competitive fairness are being closely monitored.
Written By; Christopher Emuakpeje