Osimhen Explains Galatasaray Move as Kinshasa Prepares Boxing Spectacle
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen says emotion drove his transfer to Galatasaray, while Kinshasa prepares to host an exhibition bout between Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather. Newcastle's Anthony Gordon scored four goals in a Champions League rout.
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Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has disclosed that his transfer from Napoli to Turkish club Galatasaray was motivated by emotion and passion rather than financial incentives or external counsel. The striker's revelation comes as African sports fans prepare for a major boxing exhibition in Kinshasa and European football continues to deliver dramatic results.
Osimhen told reporters his decision to join the Istanbul-based club stemmed from personal feelings about the move. "It was driven by emotion and passion rather than advice or financial considerations," the forward said, according to Vanguard News.
The 25-year-old striker's comments shed light on a transfer that surprised many observers when it was announced. Osimhen had been linked with several top European clubs before opting for Galatasaray, one of Turkey's most successful football teams.
Historic Boxing Event Returns to Kinshasa
Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital is set to host an exhibition boxing match between American legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather. The bout will take place in Kinshasa, echoing the historic 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, according to The East African.
The exhibition match represents a significant moment for African boxing and sports entertainment. The 1974 fight remains one of the most celebrated sporting events in African history, drawing global attention to Kinshasa and showcasing the continent's ability to host world-class competitions.
Both Tyson and Mayweather are retired professional boxers who have participated in exhibition matches in recent years. Tyson, 60, last fought in an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020, while Mayweather, 49, has taken part in several exhibition bouts since retiring from professional boxing with a perfect 50-0 record.
The choice of Kinshasa as the venue carries symbolic weight. Organizers appear to be drawing on the legacy of the Ali-Foreman fight to generate interest and underscore Africa's role in global sports history.
Champions League Delivers Drama
In European club football, Newcastle United demolished Azerbaijan's Qarabag 6-0 in Champions League action. Anthony Gordon starred for the English side, scoring four goals before halftime at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, Channels Television reported.
Gordon's four-goal haul represented one of the standout individual performances in this season's Champions League competition. The winger's clinical finishing helped Newcastle secure a commanding victory away from home, strengthening their position in the tournament.
Elsewhere in the Champions League knockout play-off round, Norway's Bodo/Glimt continued their impressive debut campaign with a 3-1 first-leg victory over Italian giants Inter Milan. Kasper Hogh scored once and created two additional goals for the Norwegian champions, according to Vanguard News.
The result represents a significant upset, with the Norwegian side taking a crucial advantage into the second leg against one of Europe's traditional powerhouses. Bodo/Glimt's performance underscores the growing competitiveness of clubs from smaller European leagues in continental competition.
Inter Milan will need to overturn the deficit in the return fixture to advance in the competition. The Italian club has won the Champions League three times in its history but faces an uphill battle after the first-leg defeat.
African Players Making Impact
Osimhen's move to Galatasaray adds to the growing presence of African players in Turkish football. The striker has been one of Africa's most prominent footballers in recent years, winning the African Footballer of the Year award and helping Napoli secure the Serie A title.
His emphasis on emotion and passion in choosing Galatasaray suggests the club's passionate fan base and historic significance played a key role in his decision. Turkish clubs have increasingly attracted top African talent in recent transfer windows, offering competitive wages and the chance to play in European competitions.
The convergence of these sports stories highlights Africa's continued engagement with global sporting events, both as a host destination and through its athletes competing at the highest levels of international competition.