Osimhen’s Goal Not Enough as Ajax End Galatasaray’s 26-match Unbeaten Run

*Leverkusen coach insists no big deal Boniface’s move to S’Arabia collapsed

Duro Ikhazuagbe

Victor Osimhen scored a late goal in Amsterdam last night but it was not enough to preserve Galatasaray’s unbeaten 26-match run as Ajax snatched a 2-1 win to qualify for the Round of 16 playoff stage of the new format Europa League.

Galatasaray’s most prolific attack spearheaded by Osimhen was effectively caged by Ajax backline inside the Johan Cruyff Arena. It went blunt on a day the Istanbul team needed to be sharp most in order to make the elite Top 8 rank to avoid the playoffs.

With the clock winding down to Ajax running away with the two goal lead, Osimhen bundled home from a close range after the home team failed to clear a corner for the Nigerian striker to net his seventh goal in the Europa League this season for Galatasaray. There certainly was no room for the Turkish side to dream of equalizing as Ajax ended their unbeaten run dating back to August 27 in the UEFA Champions League defeat against Young Boys.

Osimhen whose permanent transfer bid request by Galatasaray was turned down by Napoli on Wednesday evening, appears unfazed as he played with his usual flair.

The Turkish champions tabled a bid of 65 Million Euros for the striker who has become a massive fans’ favourite, according to Corriere dello Sport

However, Napoli insisted on the release clause of 75 Million Euros specially for Galatasaray after they paid a loan fee of Six Million Euros.

According to ScoreNigeria, other clubs who want to sign Osimhen in January will have to pay 81 Million Euros.

Napoli President, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has maintained there will be no discount on this amount.

Osimhen is on loan at Galatasaray until the end of this season. So far, he has scored 17 goals in 21 games for Galatasaray to become their fans’ favourite striker.

Just like Osimhen, Victor Boniface’s proposed record move to Saudi Arabia also failed to fly as Al Nassr dumped the Nigerian and instead opted for Colombian striker, Jhon Duran.

However, Bayer Leverkusen coach, Xabi Alonso, has insisted that Victor Boniface will stay put at the Bundesliga champions after the move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr fell through.

The Super Eagles striker was set to clinch a jackpot transfer that will pay him 15 Million Euros-a-year, before Al Nassr opted to sign Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran instead.

Alonso however confirmed yesterday that Boniface has return to training with Leverkusen and put the transfer saga behind him.

“He trained again today (yesterday). I think he will stay with us,” the Leverkusen coach told ESPN.

“So I have to say that I am satisfied, I am happy.”

Europa League

Ajax  2-1 Galatasaray 

Anderlecht 3-4 Hoffenheim 

AS Roma 2-0 Frankfurt

Bilbao 3-1 Plzen

Braga 1-0 Lazio

Dy’Kyiv 1-0 RFS

FCSB 0-2 Man Utd

Ferencvaros 4-3 Alkmaar 

Lyon 1-1  Ludogorets 

Maccabi Tel 0-1 FC Porto

Midtjylland 2-2 Fenerbahce

Nice 1-1 Bodo/Glimt

Olympiacos 3-0 Qarabag

Rangers 2-1 Royale Union

Sociedad 2-0 PAOK

Sl’Prague 2-2 Malmo 

Tottenham 3-0 Elfsborg 

Twente 1-0 Besiktas

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