Sports

How Osimhen’s Strike Ended Napoli 33-year Wait For Serie A Title

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2023

Napoli finally ended their long wait to win Italy’s Serie A on Thursday after a 1-1 draw at Udinese secured their third league title with a record-equalling five games to play.

Thousands of fans in Udine, at the Stadio Maradona in Naples and all around southern Italy’s biggest city exploded with joy at the final whistle as 33 years of waiting came to an end.

Supporters streamed onto the pitch at the Dacia Arena to celebrate after a season dominated by Luciano Spalletti’s side, creating moments of tension with home fans not happy at such open partying on their ground.

Victor Osimhen scored the decisive goal in the second half as Napoli’s current stars came back from trailing to Sandi Lovric’s opener at half-time and emulated the teams led by Diego Maradona which won the league in 1987 and 1990.

Spalletti and his squad will receive an emotional welcome when they return to Naples, where the partying is set to continue to until at least their next home fixture against Fiorentina on Sunday evening.

“Seeing Neapolitans happy is enough to give you a sense of that joy they are feeling,” Spalletti told DAZN on the verge of tears.

“These people will look to this moment when life gets hard, they have every right to celebrate like this. You feel a bit more relaxed knowing that you’ve given them this moment of happiness.”

It was appropriate that Osimhen was the man to take Napoli over the line as the Nigeria striker has had the best season of his career and been key to Napoli’s historic charge to glory.

Osimhen’s title-deciding strike was his 22nd goal in 28 league appearances and rightly caused bedlam among the massed ranks of away fans who took over Udine.

Napoli’s 16-point lead over second-placed Lazio leaves them with a month-long parade between now and the end of the season which will allow their long-suffering supporters to fully unload more than a generation of frustration.

Osimhen seals deal

Napoli were straight on the front foot but as on Sunday looked worryingly bereft of ideas in the final third, and the away side were stunned in the 13th minute following the first spell of play in Udinese’s favour.

Lovric was given the freedom of the penalty area after being fed by Destiny Udogie, and the Slovenia midfielder took advantage by placing a lovely shot in the top corner.

Lovric stung the fingers of former Udine youth product Alex Meret in the Napoli goal just after the half-hour mark, by which point Napoli hadn’t created a single goalscoring opportunity.

Seconds later Osimhen, who looked like Napoli’s only hope of scoring in the opening period, headed a deep cross just the wrong side of the post.

And in the 52nd minute the 24-year-old stepped up as so often he has this season to unleash a wave of relief and blue smoke from the stands with his 27th goal in all competitions.

Osimhen was on hand to ram home the leveller when, after a corner, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s low shot was blocked and fell to the clinical striker.

He had the ball in the net again in the 67th minute but was denied by referee Rosario Abisso who rightly whistled for a foul by Eljif Elmas.

But by that point the fans grew ever more sure that Thursday night would be the night, chanting victory songs in Udine while flares billowed and fireworks were set off at the other end of the country.

While fans had to be cleared from the pitch in Udine to avoid clashes with home supporters the Stadio Maradona was lit up by phones held by teary-eyed Neapolitans singing along to songs by late local singer-songwriter Pino Daniele.

Sports

Tobi Amusan Clinches Silver At World Championships In Tokyo

Published

17 hours ago

September 15, 2025

Editor

Tobi Amusan clinches silver at World Championships in Tokyo
Nigeria’s sprint queen, Tobi Amusan, delivered a sensational performance in the women’s 100m hurdles final at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships, clinching silver with a blazing 12.29s finish.

The 28-year-old sprint icon delivered a powerful race from start to finish but was narrowly beaten to the line by Switzerland’s Ditaji Kambundji, who stormed to gold in a national record time of 12.24s.

Grace Stark of the United States secured bronze with 12.34s, while Masai Russell came fourth in 12.44s.

Tobi Amusan, who made history in 2022 by becoming the first Nigerian and African to win the 100m hurdles world title in Oregon, was aiming to reclaim her crown.

Though she fell just short of gold, her silver medal further cements her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats, adding to her world record (12.12s), multiple Diamond League titles, and Commonwealth Games gold.

After missing the final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Amusan’s performance in Tokyo is a resounding response to critics and proof that she remains among the world’s best.

Nigeria’s medal hopes in Tokyo are not over yet.

Ezekiel Nathaniel advanced to the semifinals of the men’s 400m hurdles after running 48.37 seconds in the heats.

The 21-year-old, one of Africa’s fastest-rising hurdlers, kept his composure in a competitive race and will look to qualify for the final on Wednesday as he sets his sights on a podium finish.

Sports

Idahosa Hails Insurance 1-0 Thrashing Of Niger Tornadoes

Published

2 days ago

September 14, 2025

Editor

Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has hailed Bendel Insurance over their 1-0 victory against Niger Tornadoes in the week 4 fixture of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

In a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo The deputy governor described the match played at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin on Saturday as a “hard fought victory” for the Benin Arsenals.

Idahosa said he was pleased with the players’ performance, who needed an extra time of six minutes to scored the goal that made the difference in the game.

He said the players should be motivated with the victory to enhance their performance in subsequent matches for the season.

“Though there is room for improvement, but am not the less impressed with their performance in the game against the Niger team.

“With their display, it is clear that Bendel Insurance this year and this season will do extremely well. We will be here to support and encourage them,” he stated.

Idahosa who noted that though his presence might not be the key determinant of this match result, however asserted, “They played passionately, but, if my presence would encourage them, I would be coming every now and then.”

He congratulated the Edo State Sports Commission Chairman, Hon. Desmond Amadin Enabulele for doing a wonderful job.

Similarly, Enabulele said that Insurance made their hunger for victory known right from the very first minute of the game.

According to him, “From the very first minute, Bendel Insurance FC played the Match, it was clear that they were going to win.

“Today, the boys did not only show that they were ready for Continental play this season, but they showed what they are made up of. I was impressed with their good ball possession from the blast of the whistle.”

Sports

Enabulele Applauds Team Edo Deaf Athletes For Performance At W’Africa Championship

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

Editor

Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Enabulele, has commended Team Edo deaf athletes who represented Nigeria at the just-concluded West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship in Abuja.

At the close of the championship, Nigeria secured six gold medals in total, with Team Edo contributing three gold and four silver medals.

Enabulele, in a statement signed by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Friday, described the athletes’ performance as outstanding and a source of pride for both Edo State and Nigeria.

“I am particularly thrilled by Deborah Ighawuanre’s exceptional performance in the female category, winning two gold medals at the championship,” Enabulele said.

He also commended the exploits of other Edo athletes, including Victory Odokara, who clinched gold in the women’s 400m event; Okpaise Nathaniel Junior, who won two silver medals in the men’s category; and Assurance Omoria, who claimed silver medals in both the 100m and 400m events.

Enabulele emphasized that the team’s success reflects the outcome of targeted investment and support from the state government.

“This feat is a clear testament to Governor Monday Okpebholo’s unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development in Edo State,” he stated.

The sports commission chairman who expressed optimism about the future of the athletes, said: “Our athletes have distinguished themselves at this championship, and I am confident these victories will inspire even greater performances in upcoming competitions.”

Enabulele disclosed in the statement that four of the seven athletes selected to represent Nigeria at the upcoming Deaflympics, scheduled for November 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, are from Edo State.

Adding his voice in the statement, Dr. Sunny Aimufua, Head Coach of the Edo Deaf Athletics Team, praised the athletes for their dedication and resilience.

“The athletes have made Edo State proud, and we are committed to doing even more in future competitions. I must commend Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele for his dynamic leadership and unwavering support for deaf sports.”

The West Africa Deaf Athletics Championship was organized to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of ECOWAS, bringing together top deaf athletes from across the sub-region for a historic and highly competitive event in Abuja.