Nigerian striker Osimhen has joined an elite group of players in Napoli’s history that includes legend Diego Maradona
Super Eagles of Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen have found himself in an enviable company after his latest heroics for Napoli.
The 25-year-old former Lille and Wolfsburg FC goal machine found the back of the net three times for Napoli yesterday in a Serie A game against Sassuolo.
Not only that, Victor Osimhen also added an assist in the 51st minute, when he teed up Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for Napoli’s fifth goal of the night.
31’ — Osimhen scores ⚽ 41’ — Osimhen scores ⚽ 48’ — Osimhen scores ⚽️51’ — Osimhen assists 🅰️Victor Osimhen is running riot for Napoli against Sassuolo! pic.twitter.com/uW7yzpki2z— Pulse Sports Nigeria (@PulseSportsNG) February 28, 2024
Like Maradona Like Osimhen
Recall Victor Osimhen missed one month of footballing action for his club, while on international duties for Nigeria at the just concluded AFCON 2023 where Nigeria painfully lost to host Ivory Coast in the final.
However, Osimhen was back amongst the goals for I Partenopei, bagging a hat-trick and an assist, thereby taking his tally for the season to 11 goals in 15 Serie A appearances.
Since his return from the AFCON, Osimhen has scored five goals in three matches for Napoli.
In the wake of such an outstanding performance, sports analytics company Opta revealed that Osimhen is one of only three players in Napoli’s history to have scored 10 or more goals for four consecutive seasons.
Argentine legend Diego Armando Maradona achieved same feat for Napoli between 1984/85 and 1987/88 while Italian striker Attila Sallustro did so between 1929/30 and 1932/33.
Napoli coach Francesco Calzona – the third manager Osimhen have had this season did not hide his admiration for the Nigerian after the game against Sassuolo, stressing that Osimhen is very important to him.
After destroying Sassuolo 6-1, Napoli will play host to Juventus in the Serie A on Sunday, March 3 and Francesco Calzona will be banking on Osimhen to deliver once again.
