September 17, (THEWILL) – There were contrasting fortunes for the Nigerian Super Eagles’ players in Thursdays Europa League Group C clash between Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho’s Leicester City and Victor Osimhen’s Napoli at the King Power Stadium as Osimhen’s brace wrapped up an admirable comeback by the Italians to finish the match 2-2.
The two goals that Osimhen scored in the second-half were characteristic of the edge of the seat display that highlighted the brilliant encounter that was the fixture of two colourful sides and two match-reading managers. However, Leicester will be most frustrated for letting a two-goal lead slide.
While Osimhen got his side a point with the two goals, Ndidi ended the game with his name on the red card column of referee Tiago Martins for a second bookable offence to spoil what was a steering display in the middle of the Leicester midfield.
Although Kelechi did not get on the scoresheet, it was his perfectly weighted pass to Harvey Barnes that created the chance to make it 2-0 for Leicester four minutes past the hour mark as the Foxes were coasting to victory on their turf after Ayoze Perez had opened the scoring in the 9th minute and the window for a fightback was closing for Napoli.
However, man of the match Osimhen scored a brilliant goal with a deft lob over Kasper Schmeichel five minutes after Leicester’s second goal. The Napoli forward then found the net again, three minutes from time, with a sublime header to level the contest and ensure that Luciano Spalletti’s charges do not go home empty-handed.
Ahead of the match, THEWILL had warned that if Leicester allowed for spaces within which Osimhen can operate, it will be exactly the circumstances he will exploit and that was as it played out on Thursday to see Napoli finish with a deserved point in a thrilling game of continental football.
Osimhen said post-match: “I am happy to have helped the team with two goals but the most important thing is that we play as team, came back from two goals down and got a point at the start of the Europa League.”
Spalletti, the Napoli manager, reserved high praise for Osinhem’s performance, saying: “It was a really quality performance. He opened up passing options, attacked and put pressure on the entire defence. A really lion-hearted game from him.”
Napoli, who were outstanding in their victory over Juventus last week, which helped to maintain their perfect start to the season, have drawn themselves from the brink of defeat to get a point in England’s East Midlands for the kind of confidence boost they need at home and in Europe.
On the part of the Leicester boss, Brendan Rodgers, there were positives to take from the draw. In his post-match comments, Rodgers said: “The effort and mentality was good, it is a shame we couldn’t close it out. I don’t think they created too many chances, we had good possession.
“You have to do all the unglorified stuff, the last goal we just couldn’t quite get there to stop the cross. The crime isn’t giving away the two goals, the crime is if you don’t learn from it – I’m sure that is something this young team will do.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
