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Victor Osimhen guided Napoli to the UEFA Champions League round of 16, merely 24 hours after he was crowned the 2023 African Footballer of the Year.
Despite concerns over his participation following a trip to Morocco for the award ceremony, Osimhen not only returned promptly but also played a pivotal role in Napoli’s 2-0 victory over Sporting Braga on Tuesday.
The newly-minted African player of the year showcased his prowess by scoring the second goal, securing Napoli’s advancement to the next round.
Victory for Napoli ended a string of three consecutive defeats under the guidance of new coach, Walter Mazzarri.
Napoli took an early lead within the opening 10 minutes when Matteo Politano’s attempted cross resulted in an own goal by Serdar Saatci.
The Italian side further solidified their victory with Osimhen’s exquisite back-heel flick, earning him his first Champions League goal of the season and seventh overall across all competitions.
Despite Sporting Braga’s efforts, Napoli’s dominance was evident, culminating in a 2-0 win.
The Italian champions finished the group stage with 10 points, and secured their place in the UCL round of 16, leaving Sporting Braga six points behind and relegated to the Europa League.
