Osimhen becomes first African player to win golden boot in Serie A in 125 years

Nigerian football star, Victor Osimhen has reached another milestone in his career as he became the first African player to win the Serie A golden boot in the 125-year history of the Italian top-flight league. 

The Super Eagles player played a role in Napoli’s 2-0 win over Sampdoria on the final day of the Serie A season on Sunday, June 4.

Victor Osimhen opened the scoring from the penalty spot midway through the second half, the 26th league strike of a stunning season that made him Serie A’s all-time top African scorer.

Giovanni Simeone then made sure Napoli would finish the season on 90 points in the 85th minute with a stunning long-range strike before celebrating by holding up a Napoli shirt worn by icon and compatriot Maradona.

Napoli won the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years weeks ago, but the cup was presented to them on the last day of the current campaign.

The Partenopei finished their memorable season on 90 points, their second-highest tally in Serie A – having collected one more under Maurizio Sarri five years ago.

With his 26th goal during the final match of the season, Osimhen clinched the Serie A golden boot which is given to the highest goal scorer in a season. The Nigerian footballer has also eclipsed his childhood hero, George Weah (now President of Liberia) as the highest-scoring African player of all time in Serie A with his 50 goals in the league. Osimhen is also the first player in the Italian league to combine the golden boot with the Serie A title since Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2009.

The match on Sunday was the final game for the coaches of Napoli and Sampdoria. Luciano Spalletti had announced his intention to take a sabbatical, while Sampdoria manager Dejan Stankovic told DAZN before kick-off that he would not lead the team in Serie B next season.