Victor Osimhen made his debut competitive appearance as a Napoli player in Sunday’s 2-0 Serie A win at Parma on Sunday.
Osimhen joined Napoli on a five-year deal in July after an impressive debut season in Ligue 1 with Lille, where he scored 13 goals in 27 appearances.
The Nigerian international started on the bench in Sunday’s season-opening encounter at Stadio Ennio Tardini with Hirving Lozano, Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne preferred in attack.
After a goalless first 45 minutes, Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso took off Diego Demme just past the hour mark, bringing on Osimhen, and it did not take too long for the Nigerian’s presence to be felt as he took a slight touch off Lozano’s cross which fell into the path of the club’s all-time top scorer Mertens, for the opening goal in the 64th minute.
Napoli suddenly came alive and they doubled their lead in the 77th minute courtesy of Insigne who tucked in the rebound from Lozano’s shot that was palmed away by Parma goalie Luigi Sepe.
Osimhen had an opportunity to score his first goal in sky blue colours not long after but his effort was wide off target. He crossed a nice ball for Mertens in the 84th minute, but the Belgian’s shot from outside the penalty box was well handled by Sepe.
Osimhen’s presence was evident, registering four key passes, two shots, albeit off-target, making two clearances and completing all five his passes.
