Football

Osimhen’s goals in pre-season count for nothing says Gattuso

SSC Napoli trainer, Gennaro Gattuso has declared that the goals presently scored by Nigerian attacker, Victor Osimhen count for nothing. Osimhen scored a hattrick on Friday as SSC Napoli beat Teramo in a friendly game as the Partenopei shaped up for the start of the 2010/21 season.

The 21-year-old also plundered a treble as the Partenopei defeated fourth-tier club, Castel di Sangro on August, 29. Six goals in two tune-up games should naturally please any trainer but Gattuso is made of sterner stuff and insists that the goals scored by the Super Eagles forward count for nothing at this stage.
“We breathed a different air, nice to see people at the stadium and for training. We worked hard and we were lucky to find these structures,” Gattuso told Kiss Kiss Napoli at the end of the friendly match against Teramo of Friday.  

“Thank you all. I am very happy. Osimhen? He’s a quiet guy who has to work a lot.

“It has a lot of physicality, but it doesn’t have to be satisfied. The goals he scores right now don’t count for anything, but he fits in very well with the group. He jokes with everyone and makes himself loved.”

After inspiring Napoli to a 4-0 win over Teramo on Friday, Osimhen and friends will now meet on Monday at the Napoli Training Center to prepare for their third friendly match.  

That game is against Pescara at San Paolo and is scheduled for Friday 11 September.

Despite Gattuso’s hard words, another strong showing by Osimhen in that game will likely put him in a strong position to make his official debut for Napoli on September 20 in their opening 2020/21 Serie A clash against AC Parma at Stadio Ennio Tardini.

Sammy Wejinya

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