Osimhen made his first start for Napoli since he returned from injury. He bagged his tenth goal this term as compatriots Okereke and Ebuehi had an afternoon to forget.
The Serie A is in week 24, but the race for the Scudetto is tight. One point separates the top three teams, as Inter Milan, Napoli and AC Milan are in a three-way battle for the title. Inter Milan has a game in hand that could take them to four points abreast of Napoli and AC Milan.
The gap between first and second-placed teams could have been seven points, but AC Milan and a bit of dodgy refereeing gave the Rossoneri all three points in the Derby Della Madonnina. The 2-1 victory ensured that the gap remains modest even if Inter Milan wins its game in hand.
On Sunday afternoon, Napoli were up against Venezia in a game that pitted three Nigerians against each other and also saw Victor Osimhen make his first start since his injury layoff. Ahead of the match, Osimhen received praise from his coach Luciano Spalletti who called him a warrior. The Nigerian forward put in a warrior’s performance to help Napoli back to second place on the log.
Osimhen makes his first start this year in a scoring return
When Venezia hosted Napoli in the Serie A on Sunday afternoon, three Nigerians were on parade in the battle for three points. Victor Osimhen lined up for Napoli, while David Okereke and Tyrone Ebuehi were in the colours of Venezia.
Venezia are deep in battle to avoid the drop and needed the three points to swim out of relegation waters, but it was an uphill task against a side desperate for the Scudetto. With the three Nigerians on opposite sides of the divide, Osimhen came out on top in a game that saw mixed fortunes for the players.
Osimhen, who had been sidelined by a facial injury late last year, was a phenomenon in the game. The 23-year-old striker, who missed the Africa Cup of Nations due to the injury, made his first start after two substitute appearances since his return from injury. Osimhen looked to make amends for his performance when the two sides met in August 2021, and he received a red card.
The Partenopei ran away 2-0 winners over Venezia at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium, with Osimhen scoring the first goal. The goal brings to six, Osimhen’s tally in the Serie A and ten in all competitions this season.
Osimhen, Ebuehi and Okereke record mixed fortunes
It was a splendid afternoon for Victor Osimhen as he was a bag of problems for Venezia defenders. The former FIFA u-17 World Cup winner came close to scoring in the first half, but the post denied him the goal. Osimhen continued to pile pressure on Napoli, and he got the breakthrough for Napoli in the 59th minute with a fine header off a brilliant cross from Matteo Politano.
The goal marked Osimhen’s return to scoring since his last goal on October 17.
While Osimhen had it good, Okereke and Ebuehi had an afternoon to forget. Okereke started for Venezia but was unable to save his side from defeat. Denied of service, Okereke was at sea on a disappointing afternoon.
Meanwhile, Ebuehi had it rough for Venezia. The full-back was involved with the Super Eagles in the Africa Cup of Nations. He ended the day on a sour note.
Ebuehi collided with the referee earlier in the game, and the collision left him bleeding, but he continued the match. Ebuehi would be given his marching orders late into added time for a reckless challenge.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
