BY Idris Shehu
Victor Osimhen scored his fourth goal of the season while Simy Nwankwo became only the third African to score in five consecutive Serie A games as Napoli beat Crotone 4-3.
The two teams entered the game with contrasting fortunes. High-flying Napoli are pushing for a UEFA Champions League spot while Crotone are struggling to avoid relegation.
Napoli registered their intent early in the match with a goal from Lorenzo Insigne in the 19th minute. Osimhen then doubled the lead with a tap-in off a stylish cross from Insigne. It was the 22-year-old’s second goal for the club in 2021.
Nwankwo responded immediately with his 14th goal of the season, which puts him on the exclusive list of Africans who have, in the three points per win era, scored in five consecutive Serie A games.
Only George Weah in 1996 and Keita Balde in 2017 had ever done it.
Nwankwo later scored his 15th goal of the season after Dries Mertens had restored the cushion for the Parthenopeans.
The Nigerian is fourth on the league’s goalscorers log. His ruthlessness in front of goal is only bettered by Cristiano Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku, and Luis Muriel.
Although Crotone equalised through Jesus Messias in 59th minute, Napoli regained the lead from a Giovanni Di Lorenzo strike in the 72nd minute.
Napoli rise to fourth on the Serie A table ahead of Juventus, the defending champions, who play Torino later on Saturday.
Crotone languish at the bottom of the log, eight points adrift of the safety spot.
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