AFCON 2025: Osimhen in hot water, accused of deliberate yellow card

Victor Osimhen has found himself at the centre of controversy in Turkey just days before linking up with the Super Eagles for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

According to reports, allegations have emerged that the Nigerian striker deliberately picked up a suspension to clear his schedule ahead of the tournament.

The Galatasaray striker went into Saturday’s Super Lig clash against Antalyaspor walking a disciplinary tightrope, having already been booked this season against Beşiktaş, Kocaelispor and Fenerbahçe.

That caution count came back into focus in the 85th minute when Osimhen was shown a yellow card for pulling an opponent’s shirt, a booking that automatically triggered a one-match suspension. As a result, the 26-year-old will miss Galatasaray’s next league game against Kasımpaşa.

However, with Osimhen already named in Nigeria’s 28-man squad for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, the timing of the suspension has raised eyebrows in Turkey, as the ban will be served while he is away on international duty.

According to Turkish outlet Gazete Gerçek, this sequence of events has prompted accusations that the striker may have intentionally collected the booking to avoid missing club matches later in the season.

The controversy could yet escalate, with reports suggesting Osimhen may be referred to the Turkish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee (PFDK) under Article 37 of its regulations.

That rule addresses cases where a player is suspected of deliberately receiving a yellow or red card in order to serve a suspension at a more convenient time.

Article 37 states that any player found guilty of intentionally forcing a booking faces an additional two-match ban.

If such a sanction is applied and Nigeria progresses deep into AFCON, including a potential run to the final, Osimhen could miss several Galatasaray fixtures on his return, after missing games due to his participation in the tournament.

Those games may include clashes against İstanbul Başakşehir, Kasımpaşa, Fethiyespor, Trabzonspor and Gaziantep FK, a scenario that would significantly impact the Turkish champions during a crucial phase of the season.