Gyan Refutes Claims He Accused Osimhen of Faking Injury

Ghana’s all-time leading scorer Asamoah Gyan has denied reports that he accused Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen of faking injury during the Super Eagles’ recent World Cup qualifying match against Rwanda.

Earlier in the week, Turkish outlet Habersarikirmizi claimed Gyan suggested Osimhen’s injury was staged to protect his commitments with Galatasaray ahead of the Champions League. The publication attributed quotes to the former Black Stars captain, alleging he said Osimhen was advised to feign injury during the international break to avoid risking himself for Nigeria.

The story quickly spread on social media, sparking heated reactions among fans from both Ghana and Nigeria. However, Gyan has dismissed the report, describing it as false. Replying to a post on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: “This news is fake, my brother.” The account that shared the claims has since deleted the post and issued an apology.

Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray this summer in a record deal, was injured during Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Rwanda on September 6 and was taken off in the first half. He subsequently missed the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against South Africa three days later. Medical checks in Turkey later confirmed a moderate ankle ligament sprain, ruling him out for up to two weeks.

The claims, though fabricated, fueled conversations around the long-standing rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria and the pressure often placed on African players by European clubs during qualifiers. Gyan’s denial makes clear he never questioned Osimhen’s commitment or integrity.

Galatasaray are away to Eyupspor today, with Osimhen unlikely to feature as he continues recovery and targets a return in time for the club’s Champions League opener.