Turkish football pundit and former international Nihat Kahveci has criticised Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen for what he described as “unnecessary aggression” during the heated Istanbul Derby between Galatasaray and Besiktas, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The incident occurred in the second half when Osimhen became embroiled in a tense confrontation with Besiktas defender Emirhan Topcu. The forward appeared to grab the Turkish player by the neck before compatriot Wilfred Ndidi quickly stepped in to defuse the situation and separate both men.
Speaking on his YouTube channel after the match, Kahveci did not mince words, accusing the Super Eagles star of losing his composure.
“Osimhen was clearly the aggressor,” Kahveci said. “You cannot put your hand on an opponent’s neck, no matter the provocation. That’s a red card offence in any league. He should have been sent off.”
The flashpoint added to the drama of an already intense derby clash that saw both sides struggle for dominance. Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray this season amid high expectations, endured a frustrating evening despite his tireless pressing and physical presence.
While match officials opted to caution both players rather than issue a dismissal, the incident has sparked debate among Turkish fans and analysts over refereeing consistency and player discipline in high-stakes matches.
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has yet to comment on the confrontation, while Osimhen has not issued any public statement regarding the incident.
