'Osimhen would have destroyed us' — Rival coach grateful Nigerian is out injured

Rigas FS manager Viktors Morozs has credited the absence of Victor Osimhen for his team's ability to draw against Galatasaray in their Europa League clash. 

The Cim-Bom raced into an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Dries Mertens and Yunus Akgun. However, they slept on their oars and allowed the Latvian side equalise and escape with a point. The club's head coach, Morozs, believes that would have been difficult to accomplish had Osimhen been fit. 

Speaking after the game, he acknowledged the tie would have gone differently if Osimhen were available. “It would have been different if Osimhen had played,” he said, per Haber Global. 

“He would have added strength to Galatasaray. Osimhen is a different player than Icardi. In my opinion, he could have passed our defence more easily. It would have been difficult to play against such a forward. 

“His absence today was a deficiency for Galatasaray. Osimhen is a strong and dangerous player. It would have been difficult for us if he had played today.”

The 25-year-old broke the duck when he scored a brace to give Galatasaray a two-goal lead against Kasimpasa, but as in the following game against Rigas, they saw their lead slip away and drew 3-3. 

Osimhen pulled something during the game and had to be substituted at half-time, and Galatasaray have communicated that he will miss some weeks due to injury.

It also means the Nigerian striker will not be unavailable for Austin Eguavoen's use during the AFCON qualifier double-header against