Serie A: Two-goal hero Osimhen equals Samuel Eto’o African record
The Nigerian netted a brace of headers as Napoli continue to march on the Scudetto with a dominant performance away to Torino
Victor Osimhen reached 21 Serie A goals on Sunday to equal the record set by Samuel Eto’o at Inter in 2010-11 for most goals from an African player in a top-flight campaign.
The Nigerian netted a brace of headers as Napoli continue to march on the Scudetto with a dominant performance away to Torino as Kvicha Kvaratskhelia penalty and Tanguy Ndombele’s goals sealed the 4-0 victory.
The Partenopei seemed unstoppable this season, going into this round 18 points clear and with a Champions League quarter-final against Milan coming up.
Giacomo Raspadori and Diego Demme were left at home, while Chucky Lozano returned to the trident attack. Toro missed Yann Karamoh, David Zima, Aleksei Miranchuk, Ronaldo Vieira and Valentino Lazaro.
Most Serie A goals scored in a single season by an African player:
— Squawka (@Squawka) March 19, 2023
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Ricardo Rodriguez threw himself in the way of a Lozano shot, but from the resulting Piotr Zielinski corner, Victor Osimhen leapt above Perr Schuurs for a towering header.
Nikola Vlasic stung Alex Meret’s gloves from distance, as did Samuele Ricci with another scorcher, and this time Antonio Sanabria turned the rebound onto the upright from point-blank range.
Mergim Vojvoda flashed an effort across the face of goal and Zielinski deflected Ricci’s effort wide, while Rodriguez made a big block on Lozano from Osimhen’s assist.
Napoli were far more clinical and Karol Linetty was clumsy in his challenge on Kvaratskhelia for a penalty.
The Georgian converted with a delicate dink down the middle, waiting until Vanja Milinkovic-Savic had made a move. That took him to 12 Serie A goals this season and 11 assists.
The Torino goalkeeper kept the scoreline down with a fine save moments later on Osimhen’s strike from the edge of the area, but was beaten by a fantastic team goal.
It was a series of passes from midfield, finalised by a Kvaratskhelia back-heel flick, Matias Olivera floated cross and Osimhen header at the back stick.
Osimhen had a hand in the fourth goal too, battling to win back the ball at the touchline, then Kvaratskhelia rolled across for unmarked substitute Tanguy Ndombele to sweep through Milinkovic-Savic’s legs from 12 yards for his debut Serie A goal.
It was also Kvaratskhelia’s 12th Serie A assist.
