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By Anthony Nlebem.
Nigeria international Victor Osimhen has expressed his delight after making history in Napoli’s 3-0 win over Spezia in the Italian Serie A on Sunday.
The Nigerian and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ruthlessly punished three defensive errors as the league leaders increased their lead at the Serie A summit to 16 points.
The 24-year-old Nigerian striker scored in the 68th minute and added the second goal five minutes later after Kvicha Kvaratskhelia gave the Partenopei the lead in the 47th minute.
Osimhen becomes the fourth Napoli player to score 16 goals in the first 21 Serie A games of the season, following in the footsteps of Luis Vinicio in 1955/56, Edinson Cavani in 2012/13 and Gonzalo Higuain in 2015/16.
In his post-match comments, Osimhen said it was a great privilege for him to make history for Napoli.
“Congratulations to the team, it’s good to contribute two goals. Big respect to Spezia, they gave us a good fight in the first half,” Osimhen told Sky Sport Italia.
“We needed these points to keep the momentum going. I’m happy with the win and of course, to be in the history of Napoli is a great privilege for me, so I am very happy for this.”
This result puts Napoli temporarily 16 points clear at the top of the table, awaiting the Derby della Madonnina this evening between Inter and Milan.
“All the victories are important, we need to keep the momentum and try to win all games. It is not going to be easy of course, Serie A is a very competitive league and we have to be on top of our game. We go back, we prepare for the next game, that is the most important thing.”
There was a curious incident before kick-off during the warm-up when Osimhen ran over and clambered into the end with the Spezia supporters to hug a young lady, posing for selfies on the way back out.
“I was making the practice shot, I shot over the goal and there was a lady in the middle of the fans. I think she was looking at her phone, the ball hit her in the face and I felt so sorry, as I didn’t mean to do that. I had to show my appreciation and say sorry for that.”
The win further cemented Napoli’s title chase with 56 points from 21 matches and look set to win their first scudetto since the 1989/90 season.