Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, stands on the brink of a notable achievement as he nears his 100th club goal, with the possibility of reaching the milestone as his Napoli team faces Sassuolo today, according to a report by PUNCH Sports Extra.
Osimhen’s prowess in finding the net has been evident throughout his career, with an impressive total of 99 club goals amassed over 192 appearances. Among these, he made a significant contribution of 61 goals in 102 matches for Napoli. His journey also saw him net 18 times in 38 appearances for Lille in France’s Ligue 1, and an additional 20 goals in 36 games during his time with RSC Charleroi in Belgium.
The 24-year-old has seamlessly continued his goal-scoring form from the previous season, starting the current campaign with a bang by securing a brace in Napoli’s opening match.
After a commanding start to their title defense, Napoli is preparing to take on Sassuolo at the Stadio Maradona in their next challenge.
Following a victorious debut in the Serie A against newly promoted Frosinone, Napoli aims to maintain their winning streak. In contrast, Sassuolo faced a setback in their first match of the season against Atalanta, suffering a defeat.
In their recent encounter with Serie B champions Frosinone, Napoli encountered an initial setback but rallied to secure a victory, largely due to Osimhen’s two-goal contribution.
Although Napoli fell behind early to Frosinone, they quickly equalized through Matteo Politano, paving the way for Osimhen to take the spotlight.
Osimhen not only scored Napoli’s second goal but also added another to his tally later in the game, playing a vital role in their 3-1 away triumph. His ability to find the back of the net is expected to be a pivotal factor for Napoli as they strive to build upon their strong performances from the previous season.
Osimhen’s accomplishments from the last season include winning the top scorer award, making him the first African player to secure the honor. He also broke a 14-year record by becoming the first player since Zlatan Ibrahimovic to claim both the Scudetto and the Capocannoniere in the same season.
Despite changes in leadership, with former coach Luciano Spalletti now at the helm of Italy’s national team and Rudi Garcia taking charge of Napoli, the team remains committed to defending their title. While Napoli missed out on some significant signings during the summer transfer window, their determination to build upon past achievements remains unwavering.
With key target Gabri Veiga opting for a lucrative spell in the Saudi Pro League instead of representing the Italian champions, Garcia will field a familiar lineup for Napoli’s season debut at the Stadio Maradona on Sunday.
The club from Campania is aiming to secure victories in their first two fixtures for the ninth time in 13 seasons. Their recent track record against Sassuolo, with an unbeaten streak in their last five league matches, bodes well for Napoli.
In fact, Sassuolo has managed just a single victory in their 15 most recent Serie A meetings with Napoli, suffering eight defeats.
Sassuolo’s prospects of improving this record appear dim, given their lackluster finish in the 2022/23 season and a recent home defeat at the start of the new campaign.
After a 2-0 loss to Atalanta, Sassuolo is currently enduring the longest ongoing winless streak in the Italian top flight, totaling seven games, five of which were losses. This situation places pressure on head coach Alessio Dionisi to produce positive results soon.
For Osimhen, this match offers not only a chance to contribute to Napoli’s success but also an opportunity to reach a personal milestone of 100 club goals. As Napoli seeks to build on their strong start to the season and extend their winning streak, all eyes will be on Osimhen’s performance and his pursuit of the century mark.
Should Osimhen find the back of the net in today’s game, he will join the ranks of Nigerian football legends who have scored 100 club goals, including Rashidi Yekini, Obafemi Martins, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Agali, Odion Ighalo, Jonathan Akpoborie, Osaze Odemwingie, Ikechukwu Uche, John Utaka, Efan Ekoku, and Victor Ikpeba.
