Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray beat Fenerbahce 2-1 at RAMS Park on Monday, then dedicated the victory to head coach Okan Buruk.
The Nigeria international was the decisive player in the Intercontinental Derby, delivering a result that gave the Turkish champions victory over their fierce rivals and strengthened their position in domestic football.
Osimhen has now scored three goals in his past two appearances for Galatasaray, continuing an impressive run of form.
The 53-year-old Buruk recently celebrated his birthday, and Osimhen said the wins against Fenerbahce and Lille had been intended as gifts for their manager.
“We love our coach Okan Buruk very much. Beyond being our technical director, we love him like a father,” Osimhen was quoted as saying by Sporx.
“He’s a very good person, both on and off the field. We wanted to gift him victories against both Lille and Fenerbahce, and we succeeded.
“We are the biggest in Turkey, one of the biggest in the world. And we’re showing that.”
Osimhen’s brace settled one of Turkish football’s biggest rivalries and handed Buruk another reason to celebrate, with Galatasaray continuing to make a strong statement in domestic football.