Soaring Eagles: Nigeria’s Osimhen, Lookman Light Up Italy With Goals

For Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, Osimhen and Lookman’s exploits mean much for Nigerian football and he hopes the duo can bring their A-game to the national team.

By Emmanuel Egobiambu
Updated January 30, 2023
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Osimhen and Lookman are gunning to be the first African to win the top scorer prize in Italy’s Serie A.

 

Nigerian duo of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman have continued their impressive form in the Italian Serie A this season, scoring a goal each last weekend.

At the Stadio Armando Maradona Stadium, Osimhen was on the scoresheet, netting a spectacular volley in Napoli’s 2-1 win over Roma. Sunday’s victory pushed Luciano Spalletti’s men 13 points clear at the league zenith. They are on 53 points from 20 games.

The strike took the Super Eagles star’s tally to 14 with three assists after 16 Serie A matches this campaign. In Copa Italia, the U-17 World Cup champion has one goal.

Osimhen’s impressive form has drawn commendations and comparisons from football fans and coaches alike. One such is Roma’s Jose Mourinho.

“And if you want me to compare him with Drogba, I would say, the level is there but Drogba would never dive,” he said in a post-match press conference.

“If Victor can change that in his game, he is okay. If only I were at a club with a lot of money, I’ll buy him.”

READ ALSO: Osimhen On Same Level As Drogba But Needs To Stop Diving, Says Mourinho

A day earlier, Osimhen’s compatriot Lookman helped Atalanta to a 2-0 victory over Sampdoria. The former Leicester City forward scored in the 57th minute to seal the win for his team.

With this development, the 25-year-old’s goal league count stands at 12 goals in 19 appearances this season. He also has three assists so far.

‘I Will Catch Him’

After the weekend’s round of matches, the Super Eagles are the two leading scorers in the Serie A.

While the 2015 U-17 World Cup winner is top, Lookman has a word for his countryman.

“I will catch him (Osimhen),” he told The Athletic. “Not I might, I will.”

‘An Exceptional Moment 

For Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, Osimhen and Lookman’s exploits mean much for Nigerian football and he hopes the duo can bring their A-game to the national team.

“It’s an exceptional moment for Nigerian footballers and knowing you can count on two strikers like them is something incredible,” the Portuguese said in an interview with Il Mattino di Napoli.

“I’m telling the truth: knowing you have two strikers like that makes me feel much better; it makes me feel much better. Good mood. At this point, I hope they bring their positivity to the national team as well”.

Although there are 16 more matches left in the Serie A this term, in Osimhen and Lookman, the dreams of an African finally winning the Capocannoniere (top scorer) gong in Italy seem closer than ever.

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