Sports

Napoli grant Osimhen extended holiday

Published

2 years ago

July 10, 2023

Serie A champions Napoli have generously granted Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen, an extended holiday, allowing him to relish a well-deserved break before returning to pre-season training.

While the other Napoli players are set to convene at their pre-season training camp in Dimaro on Monday, July 10, where they will commence the first part of their summer schedule, Osimhen has been accorded additional time to enjoy the summer break.

This exclusion arises from his recent national team duties with the Nigeria national team, in which he participated on June 18 for the qualifying match against Sierra Leone for the next African Cup.

Osimhen’s exceptional performance, including a remarkable brace in the 3-2 victory that secured the Super Eagles’ qualification for the competition’s finals scheduled for January and February 2024, entitles him to a few more days of vacation. Consequently, he will make his appearance in Dimaro on Friday, July 14.

The 24-year-old Nigerian international played a pivotal role in Napoli’s triumphant Serie A campaign, securing their first league title in 33 years. Additionally, he emerged as the leading scorer in Italy’s topflight with an impressive tally of 26 goals in 32 games during the 2022/23 season.

Such outstanding displays have garnered attention from prominent clubs such as PSG, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich.

FootballItalia reports that Osimhen is Paris Saint-Germain’s primary target if Kylian Mbappe departs the club this summer. Last year, the 24-year-old Frenchman had been poised to join Real Madrid, but he opted to remain at Parc des Princes, signing a new two-year deal with the option for an additional 12 months, under the management of Carlo Ancelotti.

Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 in a deal worth €75m. He has scored 50 goals in 83 Serie A matches adding seven in 11 Champions League appearances.

His current contract at the Stadio Maradona expires in June 2025.

Sports

Osimhen nets hat-trick, tops Turkish Süper Lig scoring charts

Published

4 hours ago

March 15, 2025

Seyi Babalola

Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen netted a hat-trick as Galatasaray secured a decisive 4-0 win against Antalyaspor on Friday night.

Álvaro Morata added a goal from the penalty spot to complete the dominant victory.

Osimhen opened the scoring at Rams Park, converting an assist from Morata in the 30th minute.

Morata doubled the lead with a penalty in the 45th minute and three minutes into the injury time of the first half, Osimhen struck again, assisted by B. Yılmaz.

The Nigerian striker completed his hat-trick, with Y. Akgün providing the assist in the 52nd minute.

This hat trick elevates Osimhen’s season tally to 20 league goals in 22 appearances, making him the top scorer in the Turkish Süper Lig.

Since joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli after the fourth game of the season, Osimhen has amassed 26 goals and 5 assists across all competitions in 30 appearances.

Galatasaray’s dominant display reinforces their position at the summit of the Süper Lig.

Prior to this match, they led the standings with 68 points from 26 matches, maintaining an unbeaten record with 21 wins and 5 draws.

Their closest rivals, Fenerbahçe, have accumulated 61 points from 25 matches.

With this victory, Galatasaray extends their lead to 71 points, bolstering their pursuit of the league title.

Sports

He’s getting closer – Arteta updates on Saka’s return

Published

4 hours ago

March 15, 2025

Seyi Babalola

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has provided the latest update on Bukayo Saka ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Chelsea this weekend.

Saka has been sidelined for over two months due to a hamstring injury.

The England winger has missed several matches for Arteta’s side, including their draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Speaking in his pre-match interview ahead of Sunday’s clash, Arteta said Saka is getting closer to returning to action for the Gunners.

“He [Saka] is getting closer,” Arteta said.

“He’s stepping up and making very good progress. Let’s see when we decide to throw him in, how he reacts, and how quickly he can regain full fitness.”

Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League table, behind leaders Liverpool.

Sports

UEFA adds two Arsenal, Barcelona players to Champions League team [Full list]

Published

1 week ago

March 7, 2025

Seyi Babalola

UEFA on Thursday revealed the Champions League Team of the Week following the conclusion of the Round of 16 first-leg fixtures on Wednesday.

In a post via their official website on Thursday, UEFA included the likes of Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Arsenal’s Jurriën Timber, and Inter Milan’s Benjamin Pavard, among others, in the team.

All the aforementioned players were impressive for their respective clubs in the first-leg ties of the last 16 in midweek.

Meanwhile, the Champions League Round of 16 second-leg fixtures will take place next week.

Here is the list of players in the Team of the Week after the Champions League Round of 16 first-leg ties:

Alisson Becker (Liverpool)

Jurriën Timber (Arsenal)

Benjamin Pavard (Inter)

Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund)

Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge)

Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)

Pedri (Barcelona)

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

Rodrygo (Real Madrid)