Napoli’s Osimhen becomes Afcon qualification’s joint-top scorer

Nigeria international and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has become the joint-highest goalscorer in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nation qualification along with Zambia's Patson Daka, BSNSports.com.ng reports. It will be recalled that Odion Ighalo also finished top scorer of the 2019 AFCON qualifiers with eight goals. He will also go on to finish top scorer of the tournament proper in Egypt with five goals. Alex Iwobi scored three goals, while Paul Onuachu and Samuel Chukwueze netted two goals apiece. Profiting from an assist from Kelechi Iheanacho, the 22-year-old opened the scoring for Gernot Rohr’ men as the Super Eagles silenced Lesotho 3-0 in their last Group L fixture at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Tuesday. For Daka, his first goal came in the 2-1 home defeat to Zimbabwe – with Khama Billiat’s brace helping the Warriors to a remarkable win at the National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka. The Austria based star got a double in his side’s penultimate encounter against Algeria, scoring a goal in each half as Chipolopolo played a 3-3 home draw. In Zambia’s last Group H encounter, he was on target twice again as his team secured a 2-0 away win against Milutin Sredojevic’s Zimbabwe. Even with that, the 2012 African champions failed to qualify for Cameroon 2022. Meanwhile, Napoli-based media Tuttosport has hailed Osimhen’s contribution to the Eagles win in Lagos which also fetched him the Man of the Match award with N2m prize. “The bomber Osimhen is expected today in Castelvolturno, finally at the best of his condition after the three months spent between doctors and the playing field. “Victor was the protagonist in Nigeria’s victory against Lesotho (3-0), a valid match for qualifying for the next African Cup, with a goal scored in the first half, as well as an assist for Etebo. “Great performance by Victor Osimhen in Nigeria-Lesotho, qualifying match for the next African Cup won 3-0 by the hosts. Osimhen is unleashed again and for Gattuso, it represents the best news, lifeblood for the 22-year-old who could start on Sunday, with Mertens ready to take over,” wrote the newspaper. Osimhen has returned back to his club, as European leagues resume over the weekend. Unbeaten in their last six games, Napoli welcome Crotone to Rome on Sunday, April 4.