Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen entered the history books on Thursday night, helping his club Napoli force a 1-1 draw away at Udinese, which was enough for them to ultimately clinch the Italian Serie A title with five games to spare.
The Nigerian forward was positioned at the right place, and at the right time to smash in an equalizer for the Gli Azzurri early in the second half of a dramatic encounter at the Dacia Arena, and the away side held on for the crucial point that secured the league title.
Udinese had earlier sent shivers down the spine of everyone in the away stands when they scored the opener in the 13th minute of the game through Sandi Lovric’s clinical finish in the box.
But if there was someone who could rescue things for Napoli in such conditions, it was certainly going to be Osimhen. The in-form forward did not disappoint as, pouncing on to a loose ball in the box and smashed it into the top corner, sending Napoli fans in Udine and those watching via the screens at the Diego Maradona into ecstasy.
👏Italian champion👏
Victor Osimhen has inspired Napoli to its 1st Scudetto in 33yrs, scoring the vital goal that helped the Partenopei win the Italian league! Osimhen becomes the 2nd Nigerian🇳🇬 to win Serie A title after Obafemi Martins
What an achievement from the Naija Boy🙌 pic.twitter.com/1Sgk8GqwEP
— Making of Champions (@MakingOfChamps) May 4, 2023
The draw took Napoli to 80 points for the season, putting an unassailable 16-point gap between them and Lazio who are 2nd.
Interestingly, it’s Napoli’s first league title in 33 years! It’s also just their third ever league title success as they have had to endure a lengthy wait since the legendary Diego Maradona led them to two league titles in four seasons (1986/87 and 1989/90).
On a personal note for Osimhen, he entered the history books as only the third Nigerian ever to win the Scudetto after Obafemi Martins and Victor Obinna Nsofor, who both won the Scudetto with Inter Milan in 2006 and 2009 respectively.
In addition to sealing the title for his team, the Nigerian striker’s goal on the night also helps him overtake Samuel Eto’o to become the African player with the most goals scored in a single Serie A season with his tally of 22 goals so far.
Victor Osimhen has scored more Serie A goals this season than any African player has ever managed in an Italian top-flight campaign.
He's broken Samuel Eto's record 👏 pic.twitter.com/1VEbkCi3qe
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 4, 2023
Osimhen also equaled former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah for most goals scored by an African in Serie A history with 46 goals.
