Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen has equaled the goalscoring record of compatriot, Obafemi Martins, in the Uefa Champions League.
Osimhen was on the scoresheet to help Napoli play out a 1-1 draw with AC Milan on Tuesday night.
The Nigerian strike’s spectacular header in the Partenopei’s 1-1 draw against Milan made him match Martins’ record for the most goals scored by a Nigerian player within a single Champions League season.
Martins netted five goals for the first time for another Italian side, Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League in the 2004/2005 campaign, thereby, setting a record as a Nigerian footballer.
Osimhen’s goal on Tuesday was, however, not enough for Napoli to advance through to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
His last-gasp header which came in the 90th minute at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium courtesy of an assist from Giacomo Raspadori was his 26th goal of the 2022/23 campaign from 31 games.
He had netted with a clinical finish but it was correctly ruled out for an inadvertent handball in the action. It summed up a night of frustration for Napoli who huffed and puffed without joy.
On the other hand, Napoli boss, Luciano Spalletti, has made some admissions following his team’s exit from the Champions League.
“We were a little naive. Even Osimhen struggled in the match,” Spalletti said, as quoted by Tutto Napoli.
“I understand, though, because he trained for only three days and when you are close to the game, you don’t do training where you raise pressure-building and the open field raids.
“Those are the coaching things. We arrived with some not training at their best and some problems from the national teams but it is not an excuse for the result.
“The performance has been there. What are you going to tell him? The verdict is accepted. You have to be fair. The boys played a great game, non-stop, trying to do what they had to do.
“Milan then won deservedly because they capitalized on the chances. Good for both of them.”