Coppa Italia: Okereke, Folorunsho on target to help Cremonese, Bari advance

The Nigerian stars only joined their respective clubs this summer but are already making their impacts felt

New Cremonese signing David Okereke had a dream debut as he helped the Grey and Reds advance to the next round of the Coppa Italia after edging Ternana 3-2 in a thrilling encounter at the Stadio Paolo Mazza.

Having joined Cremonese from Club Brugge in July, Okereke made his competitive bow on Monday night as they hosted Ternana in the First Round of the Italian Cup.

The 24-year-old needed only 22 minutes to score his first goal for the Serie A newbies, profiting from a Castagnetti assist to double the Cremonese’s advantage.

Ternana, however, brought the Stadio Paolo Mazza to its feet, equalising through Rovaglia and Palumbo in three second-half minutes.

Okereke was withdrawn shortly afterwards.

But Quagliata’s 60th-minute strike returned the advantage to Cremonese, and Massimiliano Alvini’s men held on for the win.

Bari and Folorunsho

Earlier, Michael Dolorunsho’s brilliant start to his second spell at Bari continued as he helped the Serie B campaigners wallop Verona 4-1 in the Coppa Italia.

Folorunsho joined Bari for the second time on loan from Napoli last month. He did not muster a goal for the Cockerels in 13 appearances during the 2019/20 season while they were still in Serie C.

The 24-year-old was, however, influential as Bari flogged Calcio Padova 3-0 in the preliminary round of the Italian Cup on July 31st.

But on Sunday, Folorunsho set the goal records straight on the half-hour mark, equalising for Bari after Lasagna had given Verona a 16th-minute lead.

Folorunsho’s goal opened the floodgates for Bari. And Italian striker Walito Cheddira’s subsequent hat-trick sealed the win for Bari and passage to the second round of the competition.

After the encounter, Napoli-owned Folorunsho told the media, “I am happy to have scored the first goal with Bari, but above all, I am happy with the performance and the result.

“We are a great team, and we can do well in the league too. We possess many qualities, and we must continue on this path.

Regarding teammate and hat-trick hero, Cheddira, Folorunsho said, “He is a great player with an important future. I wish him the best.”

Folorunsho will likely make his Serie B debut for Bari on Friday when they face Parma on matchday one.