Osimhen In Hot Water: Turkish Suspension Stirs Debate Ahead Of AFCON 2025

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has come under intense scrutiny in Turkey following claims that he may have deliberately engineered a suspension ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigerian forward, who is set to join the national team for the continental tournament, drew controversy after receiving a late yellow card in his club’s Turkish Süper Lig match against Antalyaspor on Saturday.

Osimhen was already on thin disciplinary ice, having previously been booked in matches against Beşiktaş, Kocaelispor, and Fenerbahçe. The 85th-minute yellow card against Antalyaspor pushed him over the booking threshold, triggering an automatic one-match suspension.

As a result, the Super Eagles striker will miss his club’s next league game against Kasımpaşa. However, since Osimhen is included in Nigeria’s 28-man AFCON squad, the suspension will be served during the international break, allowing him to return to club action without a domestic ban looming over him.

Turkish media outlet Gazete Gerçek reports that the matter may not end with a single-match suspension. Osimhen could still be referred to the Turkish Football Federation’s Professional Football Disciplinary Committee (PFDK).

The disciplinary body may investigate under Article 37 of the Turkish Football Federation’s code, which addresses cases where players are alleged to have “deliberately received a yellow card.” If found guilty of intentionally forcing the booking, Osimhen could face a stricter penalty.

Article 37 stipulates a two-match ban for players who are proven to have sought a caution for tactical purposes. Should this occur, Osimhen risks missing several key club fixtures, including matches against İstanbul Başakşehir, Kasımpaşa, Fethiyespor, Trabzonspor, and Gaziantep FK, depending on Nigeria’s progress at AFCON.

For now, Osimhen remains focused on joining the Super Eagles camp, while his club and fans await the outcome of the potential disciplinary review in Turkey.