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By Anthony Nlebem and Peter Akinbo.
In-form Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will earn an additional €130,000 (N64m) bonus pay cheque for scoring 25 goals this season, the number of goals that allows him to trigger the second economic bonus in his contract with Napoli, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 24-year-old Nigeria international scored a brace for Napoli in their 4-0 win at Torino on match-day 27 of their Serie A fixture on Sunday.
The Super Eagles striker opened score in the ninth minute, before adding the second six minutes into the second half to take his tally to 25 goals in all competitions, equalling the most goals scored by an African in a single Serie A season, held by Samuel Eto’o.
The former Wolfsburg striker also scored twice in the Parthenopeans Champions League win over Frankfurt last Wednesday to take his goals tally to 23 goals in all competitions this season, before netting a double on Sunday to make it 25 goals.
The former Lille forward has enjoyed a wonderful 2022/23 season and in February he picked his first goals bonus of €130,000 bonus (N64m) after reaching the 20-goal mark, when he scored in Napoli’s 2-0 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Now, the Serie A top scorer is poised to earn an additional €130,000 (N64m) from Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis as agreed in his contract.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the prolific forward, whose goals have been decisive for Luciano Spalletti’s side, is propelling Gli Azzurriare, who are 21 points clear of the Serie A table, to win their first Scudetto since 1990.
“With the achievement of the goal of 25 goals for the season, Victor Osimhen will pocket another bonus provided for in the existing contract with Napoli,” Area Napoli quoted La Gazzetta dello Sport as saying.
With his goals scoring form, the Super Eagles striker could also take home an extra N64m if he nets 30 goals this season.
“Specifically, Aurelio De Laurentiis will have to pay him the figure of €130,000 but it doesn’t end there. Osimhen has reached the number of goals scored by Eto’o in Serie A and is therefore also preparing to be the best African scorer in our top division.”
The 24-year-old has taken Italian football by storm to become one of the most prolific strikers in Europe.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian striker thanked the Naples fans for their support in pushing Napoli in their Scudetto chase and seeing them through multiple tests this season.
“Great victory, thanks to the fans for their support, I’m happy with the goals and the three points. ‘We’ll win the league’ the fans shout. We want to give this award to our fans. They have been waiting for so many years,” Osimhen told DAZN.
The Serie A top scorer also praised fans, who are copying his hairstyle and donning the mask like he does, saying, “I saw the boy who accompanied me on the pitch with the colour of my hair and with the mask, I plan to take a picture with him.
“There is great enthusiasm, and the fans support me with affection, from the mask for sweets and dogs with pasta to make hair similar to mine, are expressions of affection that please. It’s beautiful and it’s special, I thank everyone.”