At full-time, there were chants of “Victor Osimhen, Victor Osimhen” at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and that was for good reason. The Nigerian striker just led Napoli to its first Serie A title in 33 years.
A journey that seemed smooth began to have stumbling blocks, but on the night, a draw away at Udinese was enough for the Partenopei to seal the title after they couldn’t do so at home against Salernitana.
The objective was clear. Thirteen minutes in and it looked like it was going to be another long night and another wait for the title after Sandi Lovric gave the hosts the lead.
Victor Osimhen wasn’t having it and just like he has done all season, he drew Napoli level in the 52nd minute, latching on to the rebound after Kvicha Kvarastskhelia’s shot was blocked.
As the clock wound down, it was evident that it was the night. It was Napoli’s time and nothing was going to stop them.
Diego Armando Maradona was a key figure in Napoli’s last title win in 1990 but this time it was a Nigerian who spearheaded that charge and in doing so, Victor Osimhen set the record for the most goals by an African player in a single Serie A season (22 goals), breaking Samuel Eto’s tally of 21.
Napoli lead second-placed Lazio with 16 points, and with five games to go, the party is just getting started in Naples.
