Victor Osimhen was in inspiring form but it was not enough as Serie A leaders Inter Milan forced Napoli to a 1-1 draw away on Saturday.
The draw means Inter stay top on 54 points, just one point ahead of second-placed Napoli.
Osimhen, who was on from the start, put in a five star display and had a hand in Napoli’s goal before he was replaced on 84 minutes.
It was immediately frantic Napoli’s Giovanni Di Lorenzo drilling inches wide but it was the host who took the lead in the 7th minute from the penalty spot.
Stefan de Vrij had caught Victor Osimhen on the back of the ankle and after a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty, which Lorenzo Insigne converted.
Piotr Zielinski almost made it 2-0 on 12 minutes but his curler smashed the outside of the post from the edge of the area.
Inter equalised within 30 seconds of the restart thanks to Edin Dzeko whose header on a Lautaro Martinez cross was scuffed, but it bounced off Di Lorenzo’s shin and the Bosnian reacted quickly to rifle the rebound in off the underside of the bar from a tricky angle.
Osimhen intercepted a poor Marcelo Brozovic pass to force a difficult save at the near post from Samir Handanovic.
At the other end, AFCON 2021 winner Kalidou Koulibaly made a decisive interception to stop Dumfries tapping in Ivan Perisic cross.
A deflected Insigne cross was just beyond Osimhen, but Eljif Elmas at the back post was denied by a desperate Handanovic save.
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COMMENTS
Osimhen plus Ighalo with Amoo Akin. Ghana will miss World Cup finals yet again. But no Basket though. Uzoho is ever ready.
Napoli will rue their chances from this game. They should’ve finished the game in the first half with all the promising chances they had. Great game from Osimhen. Napoli have a strong team that can fight the Scudetto to the end.
@Ayphillydegreat, let’s be honest with ourself. Inter seem to be a more organised team technically than Napoli. Even with the departure of Lukaku they’re still the best team in Serie A at the moment followed by AC Milan, Juventus are also better but they’re having issues right now. If only Spalleti can find a way to bring Dries Mertens back into their lineup. He’s more productive going forward and ceeate more scoring opportunities than Insigne. Insigne is a kind of player that always want to be on the front page of dailies and by doing so depriving the team of more sucess. Imagine with all his selfishness, he has no goal from open space this season. Thank God for Osimhen and the other players that have been getting them penalties.The few matches Mertens played, everyone can see the impact. Thank God he is leaving to MLS at the end of the season. Maybe then Napolo can be a title contender
If this news from Own Goal Nigeria is true that Dominic Solanke is considering Nigeria, then NFF officials should be making good use of their cell phones at this time.
Solanke has impressive stats for Bournemouth this season.
20 goals and 3 assists from 31 games.
Solanke can add some much needed quality to our squad.
He has likely gotten tired of waiting for Southgate. If we move now, he is there for the taking.
I suspect Ebere Eze will also have realized by now that his chances of a future with England are slim to none. I am almost certain that Eze will accept to play for Nigeria if approached at this time, especially with the chance to play at the world cup looming large.
At 23 going on 24, he’s hitting his prime years. He’s nowhere near the radar of Southgate, and that will likely not change anytime soon. His options are:
1) Keep waiting for Southgate
2) Join Nigeria and likely play in your first world cup in November.
It’s a no-brainer, unless Eze is not interested in international football.
NFF need to move for these and other talents now. Ejaria, Olise, Eze and Solanke should be addressed as top priority projects. These guys need to be available for selection asap.
We need all our best players on deck for what is going to be a tough double-header against Ghana in March.
Let’s get them.
@Pompei, I’m very shocked about this your comment.
The name of the players you mentioned above were approached by the NFF before but they turned down the opportunity to represent Nigeria. They should be the one begging Nigeria not the other way around.
You can see the difference between Dessers and these players. Dessers have been talking about representing Nigeria for a while but Amaju/NFF never looked his side but look at the way they welcomed Lookman. Is Dessers not a Nigerian like Lookman? As long as you are a good footballer, you deserve a chance to represent Nigeria. Why are they cycling players because of money?
The only player that should be considered is Musa not Ighalo. Etobo should be the one Amaju should paid a visit not Ighalo.
However, if truly those players are interested then they should contact the Nigeria Football Federation.
There’s something called “value” in life. These players should value our national team.
You can see now that Amaju doesn’t value himself that much. He went to meet Ighalo when we have young strikers available to do the job?
Strikers like Dessers, Dennis and Osimhen are the real deal. Did you see Amaju talking about Dessers and other young players at all?
That should tell you that Pinnick values money than Nigeria image.
However, I don’t expect NFF to invite players based on current form. Many of us will be shocked when the world cup qualifiers list is out.
Ighalo, Akpeyi and co will be on the pitch against Ghana.
Adeleye and Osagwe may not be considered and I won’t be surprised if Akpeyi manned the post against Ghana.
Mark my words, Ighalo have nothing to offer the current Super Eagles team but if you and others are in doubt, just wait and see by yourselves.
The chances of qualifying to the world cup in Qatar is very slim because of the attitude of Amaju and his servants, the coaching crew.
With what I saw Ighalo playing against Cape Verde in Lagos, Amaju and the coaching crew are jokers if we see Ighalo against Ghana. That means they are confused and they need help.
My dear Pompei, Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria. If you know you know o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Sorry for my typos.
Omo9ja,
So are you saying we should ignore Solanke, a former Liverpool and Chelsea striker who is tearing up the Championship with goals? 20 goals this season?
Dessers is good. He should be monitored also.
If it was up to me, I would have Osimhen, Dennis, Dessers, and Iheanacho in the squad to face Ghana..
If we had Solanke at the just concluded Afcon, we would not have missed so many chances like we did. He has the work rate of Awoniyi, and is a good finisher, with both feet, and with his head. Very similar to Ivory Coast’s Sebastian Haller.
We need a striker like that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7odPwa33Lxc