ROME — Freshly topped African participant of the 12 months, Victor Osimhen confirmed why he’s thought-about one of many world’s prime strikers on Saturday.

Having already scored one purpose with a towering header between two defenders, Osimhen was much more spectacular when he offered the help for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s winner in defending champion Napoli’s 2-1 win over Claudio Ranieri’s Cagliari in Serie A.

First, Osimhen managed a go along with his proper foot. He used his chest earlier than bouncing the ball 3 times off his proper thigh and onto his head. Showing to lose management at that time, Osimhen as a substitute muscled his well past three defenders to cross to the unmarked Kvaratskhelia, who pounded the ball in off the close to publish.

Kvaratskhelia instantly pointed at Osimhen after the ball went in.

Ending a four-match winless streak at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona within the league, Napoli moved as much as fourth place, 11 factors behind chief Inter Milan, which visits Lazio on Sunday.

Osimhen was instrumental throughout Napoli’s title run final season with 26 objectives to guide the league. Slowed by harm this season, he has solely six. And he’s as a result of miss a giant chunk of the season when he joins Nigeria’s squad for the African Cup of Nations in January.

PHOTOS: Osimhen’s help in Napoli’s 2-1 win is an instantaneous spotlight. He additionally scores a towering header

Napoli remains to be adapting to a midseason teaching change the place Walter Mazzarri changed the fired Rudi Garcia. There have been boos when the primary half ended 0-0 regardless of quite a few probabilities for the Partenopei.

Osimhen took over when he rose to satisfy a cross from Mario Rui with a strong header. The ball went straight at Simone Scuffet however the Cagliari goalkeeper couldn’t cease it.

Leonardo Pavoletti equalized three minutes later when he acquired previous Napoli defender Juan Jesus to redirect in a cross.

Then Osimhen drew your complete protection towards him and arrange the winner along with his dribbling present.

The trouble for the help appeared to depart Osimhen with an injured groin however he didn’t come off.

The beginning of the match was delayed for a half hour after sturdy winds prompted an inspection of the stadium roof. Whereas there was no harm, the inspection delayed followers’ entrance.

Osimhen posed along with his African participant of the 12 months award – having flown to Morocco earlier within the week to choose it up. Osimhen received the glory forward of Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah.

For his first Serie A purpose, Ylber Ramadani scored an 89th-minute winner as Lecce beat Frosinone 2-1 in a matchup of promoted groups. Ramadani’s long-distance shot took a deflection to resolve the match at Stadio By way of del Mare.

Roberto Piccoli put Lecce forward early earlier than Kaio Jorge equalized for Frosinone with a penalty half an hour in.