Victor Osimhen marked his return from international duty for Nigeria with a crucial equaliser for Napoli in their 1-1 draw against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
The draw gave the Partenopei an advantage ahead of their trip to Catalonia for the return fixture of the round of 16 encounter.
Osimhen returned to Napoli last Friday after helping Nigeria to second-place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast but his return to action was delayed as he missed Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Genoa in the Serie A over the weekend.
On Wednesday, newly-appointed coach Francesco Calzona drafted the Super Eagles forward into his first starting XI against Barcelona which paid off later in the second half.
Osimhen had a quiet first 45 minutes at the Studio Diego Armado Maradona, managing just 12 touches on the ball with no attempted shots.
After the goalless affair at the break, Robert Lewandowski put Barcelona in front on the stroke of the hour-mark and it did not long for Napoli to respond through the 2023 African Footballer of the Year.
Osimhen, after benefitting from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s assist, shook off Inigo Martinez’s challenge to neatly place the ball into the back of the net in the 75th minute.
The goal was Osimhen’s second goal in the elite European competition this season and his ninth goal across all competitions for Napoli so far.
The Nigeria star was replaced almost immediately after his celebration with Giovanni Simeone taking his place in the game.
Napoli held their ground to maintain the 1-1 result which they will take to the second leg at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium on March 12.
