Sport

Victor Oshimen Scores as Napoli Wins 1st Scudetto in 33 Years

By Web News 1042


Napoli have claimed their first league title in 33 years after drawing 1-1 away at Udinese following a Victor Oshimen equaliser.

The title was an inevitability for months with Luciano Spalletti’s side completely dominating Serie A, but they’ve now finally clinched their third domestic crown with five games to spare.

In the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium the were epic scenes of celebration.

Fans lit off flares in the streets of Naples as they celebrated their title win.

Indeed, it sparked chaotic scenes in Naples.
The streets were filled with people sporting Maradona wigs.

Traffic came to a standstill.

People danced with joy on roofs of blocked buses, while fake funerals were held for hated rivals Juventus.

Napoli had their first match point at home to Salernitana last time out, but drew 1-1, meaning they needed just a point from Udinese.

Thanks to star striker Victor Osimhen, they managed just that, with the Nigerian equalising in the second period by smashing the ball home for his league-best 22nd goal of the season.

Victor Osimhen showing his love for his club by kissing the club’s badge

The ever-expanding away end at the Dacia Arena instantly erupted, with smoke bombs filling the stadium as Osimhen ripped off his trademark mask in iconic scenes.

And back in Naples, the 52nd minute strike was greeted with fireworks on the streets with fans realising the dream of a generation.

Napoli haven’t won a league title since 1990, when Diego Maradona captured his and the club’s second of a legendary career.

Genny Di Virgilio says the Maradona figurines his company makes are serious bestsellers © Giuliana Ricozzi/FT

And in their stadium that now bears his name, fans had packed out the 54,726-seater to see the trophy come back down south for only the third time.

The city had long been gearing up for glory of hosting the league trophy after several decades.

Napoli now have 80 points, and while they are unable to reach the incredible record for points in a season set by Juventus with 102 back in 2014, they can still eclipse their own club high-water mark of 91 from back in 2018.

Their first scudetto saw Maradona shine bright as they beat Juventus to the league title by three points.

Three years later, and after consecutive second-place finishes, Napoli lifted the scudetto for a second time with five straight wins to end their 1989/90 campaign.

Napoli have one of the largest and most passionate fan bases in Italy, but trophies have been hard to come by since the club was formed in 1926.

The club’s most successful spell was authored by Argentine legend Diego Maradona in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but the club subsequently fell on hard financial times.

It’s on sound footing today, and has successfully recruited top coaches and players.

The 2022/23 team is led by manager Luciano Spalletti and Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen, who is one of the most coveted forwards in the sport.

Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during a match

Recent signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has also taken Serie A by storm with the 22-year-old Georgian already earning the nickname ‘Kvara-dona’’ from the Napoli faithful.

Goal/The Sporting News/Maxwell Oyekunle

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Sport

Osimhen Likely to Miss Napoli-Milan Champions League Clash

By Web News 790

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen is a major doubt for Napoli ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash with AC Milan on Wednesday.

The Napoli striker picked up a knee injury while on international duty in March and has missed Napoli’s last two Serie A clashes against AC Milan and Lecce as a result.

The club were hoping that the player would recover before their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash against Milan on Wednesday but he is yet to fully recover from the knock.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the 24-year-old trained alone and later headed off to the gym.

While Napoli would want their star forward back for the Champions League clash, they are not likely to rush the player back to the squad considering they still have nine matches to go in Serie A and are in line to win their first Scudetto since 1990.

Osimhen has been on fire this season for Napoli, scoring 25 goals in 29 matches in all competitions.

He is currently leading the Serie A top scorers list with 21 goals and four assists.

Vanguard/Maxwell Oyekunle

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Sport

Soccer Fans In Akure Pay Tribute To Maradona

By Web News 900

Soccer enthusiasts in Akure, the Ondo State capital, have paid tributes to the late football legend, Diego Maradona.

Isaac Afolabi of our Sports Desk spoke with fans of the round leather game on their feelings for the icon.

The football family globally were left in shock when the news of the demise of football legend, Diego Armando Maradona filtered in after suffering from a heart attack.

Speaking about the man described as the god of soccer, a sports journalist, Mr Fisayo Dairo said Maradona brought so much glamour to the round leather game and was journalists’ delight adding that he left a big vacuum.

A football coach in Akure, Stephen Folorunsho while describing Diego as a skillful footballer applauded Napoli for all accolades done him and suggested that FIFA and other sports establishment immortalise him as well.

Recounting his experience with the football legend while playing football in Italy, former Torino and Bologna of Italy player, Prince Mauroof Adams said Maradona never discriminated and was loved by all Italians irrespective of their clubs.

Diego Maradona despite his height was a master in the field and scored a controversial goal in the 1986 world cup dubbed the “hand of God”, went ahead to score another goal with a solo effort against England which won “The goal of the century” in 2002 on FIFA website.

He played for several teams like Barcelona FC and Sevilla FC both of Spain, Napoli of Italy and Boca Juniors in his native Argentina.

Maradona also played at the world cup for his country and coached his national team to the Olympics and World Cup with a win against Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup in America.

He was born on 30th October 1960 and died on the 25th of November 2020 at the age of 60.

Isaac Afolabi

News

Football has lost a rare gem in Maradona – Sports Minister

By Web News 917

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare has described late football legend, Diego Maradona as a bundle of talents and a great football asset that would be greatly missed.

In a release issued from the media office of the ministry, the minister said Maradona paved a formidable track for many footballers with his dazzling skills and creativity during his playing days.

“He was a phenomenal player, a rare gem of the round leather game. Diego Armando Maradona will remain one of the greats. No doubt, football and the entire world of sports have lost one of its greatest resourceful and enigmatic players”.

Diego passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest at the age of 60.

He captained Argentina to the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and ended his international career with 91 caps and 34 goals.

Maradona ventured into coaching after his active time as a player.

Olaolu Fawole