“He played a great game” – Ex-Napoli ace applauds Osimhen for troubling one of Serie A’s most prominent defenders

The Nigerian striker delivered another excellent showing as Napoli maintained their perfect start to the campaign, as the youngster earned a standing ovation from the fans

Former Napoli defender Ciro Ferrara says Victor Osimhen deserved the standing ovation that Il Partenopei fans gave to him after the youngster dropped another man-of-the-match display against Cagliari on Sunday night.

Osimhen was again one of Napoli’s best performers as the home side made it six league wins out of six with a 2-0 victory over the visitors at the Diego Maradona Stadium.

The Super Eagles forward broke the deadlock for Napoli after 11 minutes, beating former Inter Milan defender Diego Godin for pace at the near post before finishing a Piotr Zielinski cross.

Godin, who won the Spanish La Liga title in 2014 with Atletico Madrid, continued to have trouble containing the pace and power of Osimhen all night.

And the Uruguayan centre-back was at fault again, ten minutes into the second period when he upended Osimhen in the box for a Napoli penalty, which skipper Insigne dispatched expertly.

Osimhen was substituted in the 77th-minute, with the Neapolitans in the stands appreciating his effort. Former fan favourite Ferrara insists the Nigerian deserves the gesture after burning Godin for the goals.

“The standing ovation of the fans is wonderful, but it is precisely Osimhen’s attitude that makes the difference,” Ferrara told Dazn, as per TuttoNapoli.

“It is right that he enjoys this moment; he really played a great game, putting an important defender like Godin in difficulty.” 

Osimhen’s latest strike lifts the 22-year-old to six goals in his last four matches for Napoli in all competitions. No player has scored more in all competitions in Europe’s top five leagues this month.