The Wonderful Reign Of Victor Osimhen In Naples

The name Victor Osimhen continues to reverberate around the world.

The Nigerian International is widely considered as one of the most feared lethal strikers at the moment.

His menacing presence in the opposition's box casts a chill over defenders on the field of play.

If he is not banging goals, he is recording assists, creating chances or doing everything on a stretch.

There is hardly a week that goes by without seeing the Super Eagles attacker drive headlines.

He has become the driving force for his club Napoli, leading the onslaught from the front to set Napoli back on track to end their 33-year wait for a Serie A crown.

Diego Maradona was the last footballer who inspired Napoli to make a run to fight for the championship when he arrived almost four decades ago. 

The former Argentina international helped Napoli win their first-ever Serie A trophy in the 1986/87 season at a time Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Roma were dominating the league. 

Then in 1990, the diminutive No. 10 from Lanus in the suburbs of Buneos Aires led the club to claim another Scudetto to prove his zenith.

As such, he became a subject of poetry, of folk song, of art and of countless anecdotes in the city of Naples.

But today, the 24-year-old striker from the Oregun neighbourhood of Olusosun in Lagos has taken up Maradona's role and is making the difference for the Parthenopeans.

Osimhen has to his credit 13 goals from 15 matches played despite missing several matches due to injuries.

His goal tally slightly puts him ahead of fellow Nigerian Ademola Lookman who is second on the Serie A goalscorer’s chart with 12 goals from 19 matches played.

Courtesy of his scoring spree, Napoli sit at the summit of the Italian league table with 50 points having played 19 games at press time.

Luciano Sapalletti's side have registered 16 wins, two draws and managed just one loss thus far.

They appear to be running away with the Scudetto as the closest to them on the log is Inter Milan with 40 points having played one game more. 

Osimhen's wonderful reign in Naples was initially trailed by reservations when he joined Napoli on a big money deal from Lille having scored 18 goals in 38 appearances for the Ligue side in the 2019/20 season at age 21.

The Parthenopeans fans never for once imagined that the striker would have the same impact like Maradona in the colours of Napoli. 

They were unimpressed and unconvinced by their new signing given that his start to life in Naples was characterised as a catastrophe.

Osimhen's first season was hampered by injury, suspensions and coronavirus-related problems which made him  manage 10 goals and three assists in 30 appearances.

This was however improved upon in his second season as he notched 18 goals and made six assists in 32 games for the Parthenopeans after enduring a torrid debut season.

Apparently, the prediction of the former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has become a reality. 

Pinnick had said a long time ago that Osimhen's move to Naples would be instrumental for Napoli to dominate the Italian league like the days of yore.

In his exact words, "I’ll say it now: Victor will do everything possible to match and even break the records set by a legend like Maradona.

“I talked to Victor just a few minutes ago, he’s very excited about his new experience and new club.

"Napoli is a big name in world football. It’ll be a new challenge for him and he told me: ‘President, I’ll make Naples proud'.

“If he gets the right support, I guarantee he’ll stick to his word and make you all proud.

"Believe in him and he’ll help the team achieve their objectives."

Though the season is far from over, it cannot be disputed that the Super Eagles attacker is having a superb season since his arrival in Italy. 

He is doing amazingly well for his team and is on the path to greatness like club legend Maradona.

Certainly, a Scudetto to his reign in Naples at the end of the season would be the icing on the cake.