Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has surpassed his childhood idol Didier Drogba to become the second-highest African goalscorer in UEFA Champions League history. The Nigerian international netted his 16th goal in the competition during Galatasaray’s 3-2 defeat at Juventus on Wednesday, a result that secured the Turkish champions a 7-5 aggregate victory and a place in the Round of 16.
Osimhen’s decisive goal at the Juventus Stadium took his personal tally beyond the 15 goals scored by the former Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Drogba. This achievement places him behind only Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, who plays for Borussia Dortmund and leads the all-time African scoring chart with 18 goals.
The match itself was a dramatic encounter in Turin. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Istanbul, the return fixture saw Juventus initially take a two-goal lead. However, Galatasaray mounted a comeback, with Osimhen’s strike sparking the revival before two further goals sealed their qualification, despite the loss on the night.
Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray from Napoli last summer has coincided with a continued prolific output in Europe’s premier club competition. His consistent performances for both club and country have established him as a leading figure for Nigerian and African football. Surpassing a benchmark set by Drogba, a player renowned for his big-game impact in the Champions League, marks a significant milestone in the 25-year-old’s career.
The accomplishment also underscores the growing legacy of African strikers in the Champions League. From George Weah to Mohamed Salah and now Osimhen and Guirassy, players from the continent have consistently featured among the competition’s most effective forwards. Osimhen’s chase of Guirassy’s record highlights an ongoing rivalry that elevates the profile of African talent on the global stage.
With Galatasaray now advancing to the last 16, Osimhen will have further opportunities to close the gap at the top of the ranking. His immediate focus will shift to the upcoming knockout stage draw, where his goal-scoring form will be crucial as Galatasaray aim to progress deep into the tournament. This latest achievement solidifies his status as one of Africa’s premier attacking players in European football.
