The Napoli striker has needed little time to regain his goalscoring momentum following a lengthy injury layoff
Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen has vowed to invent a new dance should Napoli end a 32-year Serie A drought and finish the season as the champions of Italy.
Napoli were among the early season favourites in the Italian Serie A, stitching together an unbeaten streak in the campaign’s first quarter.
But Inter Milan inflicted the first defeat of the season on Il Partenopei in November, with Osimhen suffering a nasty injury in that encounter.
After two months on the sidelines, the 23-year-old has returned with a bang, scoring in his first start of 2022 in the 2-0 victory over Venezia on Sunday.
Napoli have recovered from their mid-season slump to climb back to second on the league table behind champions Inter Milan.
AC Milan and Juventus are also still in the Scudetto race, which is shaping out to be a four-team battle to the finish.
But Osimhen believes Luciano Spalletti’s men stand a chance at finishing top of the log, and he purposes to create a new dance should the Neapolitans achieve that target.
And with the Nigerian forward coming from a country that has invented countless dances from Galala, Yahooze, Alanta to Shoki, Shaku shaku, and Zanku, nothing is beyond reach.
“I want to win for Napoli; if it happens, I’ll invent a dance,” the former Lille star told the Republican as per Tutto Napoli.
“A Victor-victory dance. I’d like to win together: Napoli, Napoli and me.
“African players are not just sad stories. From a difficult childhood, I have made many steps forward.”
Osimhen is the first Napoli player to reach double figures of goals this season, following his hit against the Winged Lions.
This is remarkable for a striker who did not kick a ball for several weeks as he recovered from surgery on his face.
The Nigerian forward had multiple fractures from a collision with an Internazionale defender. And he has explained how he felt in those dark hours after the incident.
“I immediately felt that my face had exploded. And as soon as I touched my left cheek, I had no more sensitivity. I also had trouble sleeping; if I turned to that side, it hurt.”
But Osimhen has turned the corner, showcasing his physical and mental strength since his return. The masked youngster headed in the opener in the win over Venezia at the weekend, showing no fear at all despite his ongoing recovery.
“I’ve regained my strength. I’m not the type to restrain my exuberance; I’ve never done any calculations; on the contrary, I’ve always tried to get back on my feet immediately, without feeling sorry for myself.
“I jump, swerve, sprint. I’m afraid of getting hurt, and if I lose, I get angry. I’m very sensitive about it; I don’t give up,” he added.
This post was last modified on February 8, 2022 10:58 am