Osimhen Scores, Provides Assist as Napoli Beat Cagliari to Climb

ITALIAN SERIE A

Duro Ikhazuagbe

King of African football, Victor Osimhen scored and also provided an assist as Napoli defeated Cagliari 2-1 at home in Serie A yesterday and moved provisionally up to fourth spot in the Italian topflight standings.

Osimhen headed Napoli in front in the 69th minute, with Cagliari keeper Simone Scuffet deflecting the ball onto the post only for it to bounce back into the net.

The Nigerian striker who was crowned CAF Player of the Year just last Monday in Morocco, provided an assist to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as Napoli eventually broke down stubborn Cagliari.

The visitor’s forward Leonardo Pavoletti briefly spoiled the fun for Napoli, equalising three minutes later from close range before Kvaratskhelia restored the home side’s lead.

Osimhen’s assist was the talking point of the evening in Italy as it was sublimely crafted in the midst of Cagliari defenders before flicking the diagonal pass to Georgian Kvaratskhelia to finish off.

The Nigerian star has now scored seven goals in Serie A this season and could have had more were it not for a recent hamstring injury that sidelined him for more than a month.

Champions Napoli, who have struggled at home this season having gained just one point in their previous four league games at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, moved up two places to fourth on 27 points from 16 games.

They are 11 points behind leaders Inter Milan and two above fifth-placed AS Roma, who visit Lazio and Bologna respectively today.

Cagliari, who only beat Napoli once in their previous 24 games in Serie A, are in 16th place on 13 points.

Kickoff was delayed by 30 minutes due to strong winds which slowed the entry of fans in some sectors while officials checked the roof of the stadium for safety reasons, Italian media reported.

RESULTS

Premier League

Bo’mouth 1-1 Luton

Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield

Man City 2-2 Cry’Palace

Newcastle 3-0 Fulham

Burnley 0-2 Everton

Sunday

Liverpool v Man Utd

Arsenal v Brighton

Brentford v Aston Villa

West Ham v Wolves