By Pavel Joseph
24-year-old Victor James Osimhen, is the one presently calling the shots at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. His fierce scoring ability is a craft to behold.
The Little Donkeys are in their first-ever quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, owing to the young sensation’s brace in Wednesday’s fixture against Frankfurt. So far, he has four goals in five matches in the ongoing campaign.
But wait, who is Napoli’s number 9?
Victor is a Nigerian, born in Lagos, where he began his youth career. He started at the Ultimate Strikers Academy, where he was noticed, especially after his performance at the 2015 FIFA U17 World Cup.
The cadet team won the world tournament which took place in Chile. Victor scored 10 goals in seven games at the competition and won the Golden Boot and Silver Ball awards. His performances also earned him the CAF Youth Player of the Year award that same year.
The young talent would later be solicited in 2016 by the Bundesliga side, VfL Wolfsburg. He went on to have stints with Charleroi in Belgium, and Lille in the France Ligue 1, before joining Napoli in 2020.
Now considered one of the best strikers in the world, he currently leads the table of scorers in Serie A. In 28 games across all competitions this season, he has scored 23 goals with 5 assists.
The striker hopes to replicate the same performance for his home country Nigeria.
Although he was part of the Super Eagles squad that finished third in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, more will be expected of him this time.
Osimhen has scored 15 goals in 22 appearances for the country.
As it stands, the player has prospects of emerging 2023 African Footballer of the Year. Certain about finishing top of the Serie A, as well as a possibility of lifting the Champions League trophy this year, the goal poacher simply needs to help Nigeria qualify for the 2023 AFCON and contend for the title, to stand a better chance.
He started the qualification in incredible form, helping the Super Eagles win both of their matches so far. Osimhen netted a goal against Sierra Leone and scored 4 times against Sao Tome.
The 2021-22 Serie A best young player, is currently the ninth all-time highest goalscorer of the Nigeria national team.
