Copa Italia: Okereke helps Cremonese upset Osimhen’s Napoli on Ballardini’s debut

Two Nigerian strikers were in action, but one emerged tops on the night

Nigerian striker David Okereke provided an assist for Cremonese in their penalty shootout victory over Osimhen’s Napoli in the Copa Italia.

Napoli were massive favourites to claim the win against Cremonese when they welcomed them to the Stadio Diego Amando Maradona.

However, Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti opted to tinker with his squad. He rested majority of his best legs for the tie, and talisman Victor Osimhen was left on the bench.

Meanwhile, Okereke started for Cremonese in Davide Ballardini’s first game in charge at the club.

Okereke justified his inclusion in the team, supplying the assist for Charles Pickel’s opening goal in the 18th minute.

However, Napoli responded with goals from Juan Jesus and Giovanni Simeone before halftime.

Okereke was shown a yellow card during halftime for dissent. He was then taken off in the 65th minute for Ghanaian Felix Afena-Gyan. Okereke registered 19 touches and two key passes in addition to his assist.

Napoli controlled the second half, but Cremonese leveled the scoring at the death through Afena-Gyan to send the game into extra time.

Spalletti introduced Osimhen in extra time, but he was unable to do much. His two shots were saved by Marco Carnesecchi in the Cremonese goal.

The game trickled into penalties, and Napoli eventually lost 5-4, as Stanislas Lobotka missed his spot-kick. Cremonese will play Roma in the quarterfinals.