Ahead of the crucial final round of matches in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has lavished praise on Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen.

City will welcome Osimhen’s Galatasaray side to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night as both teams eye a place in the top eight, which would guarantee automatic qualification for the round of 16.

Osimhen has been in stellar form in the Champions League this season, scoring six goals in five appearances for the Turkish champions.

The 27-year-old is expected to lead the line for the Yellow and Red following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and Guardiola believes the Nigerian striker is one of the key players his team must keep a close eye on.

“We will try to win tomorrow. Galatasaray are leading the Turkish league and all their players are exceptional,” Guardiola told a press conference.

“Victor Osimhen is a very elite striker. He has special players around him he can connect with.

“Sané is very fast, very agile… İlkay Gündoğan, Mario Lemina. He has experienced players.”

WDN