You are here: HomeSportsBasketball2021 03 09Article 421114

Sports News of Tuesday, 9 March 2021

Source: punchng.com

Osimhen not a flop - Shorunmu

Victor Osimhen Victor Osimhen

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, has backed Napoli striker Victor Osimhen amid mounting pressure on the young striker, who has struggled to make the expected impact following his record signing.

Osimhen joined the Italian Serie A giants this season for an initial transfer fee of €70m and has missed a significant number of games due to series of health issues, ranging from injuries to coronavirus.

On Sunday, the former Lille striker came off the bench having missed the Parthenopeans’ last seven games and scored on his return from injury to help Napoli secure a 3-1 victory over Bologna in the Serie A.

Shorunmu, while speaking with The PUNCH, said the 22-year-old may have initially failed to live up to expectations at Napoli, but insisted that it was too early to brand the Nigeria international a flop, refusing to write him off.

He said, “I think it is too early now to conclude that he is a flop. How many months has he spent with the club?

“He hasn’t even spent up to a year with Napoli, they should just take it easy with him because he is young and growing every day.

“I want to believe he is going to be a big asset to the team when he gets over his health issues. He is not just going to be an asset for Napoli but also for Nigeria.”

Osimhen has managed three goals in 17 matches across all competitions for the Italian giants.