Okereke's Cremonese knock Osimhen's Napoli out of Coppa Italia

Okereke's Cremonese knocks Osimhen's Napoli out of the Coppa Italia

COPPA ITALIA Okereke's Cremonese knock Osimhen's Napoli out of Coppa Italia

Faruq Ibrahim 22:51 - 17.01.2023

Cremonese's African stars helped them knock Serie A leaders Napoli out of the Coppa Italia.

A tenacious Cremonese forced Napoli into a 2-2 draw and, as a result, extra-time before knocking them out in a penalty shootout.

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In a Coppa Italia that should not have been difficult for Napoli, at home in their Diego Amando Maradona stadium against a Cremonese side that is currently bottom of Serie A, Napoli let it slip and are now out of the competition.

Osimhen started on the bench for Luciano Spalleti's side, as they planned to give a much-needed rest to their star man. Kvaratskhelia was also out with the flu, while David Okereke started for Cremonese.

The game did not start positively for Napoli, who expected a relatively easy game against a Cremonese side they had already beaten 4-1 in the league this season. 

They went behind in the 18th minute after Nigerian forward David Okereke put Charles Pickel through on goal.

Charles Pickel scores for Cremonese after being put through on goal by David Okereke
Charles Pickel scores for Cremonese after being put through on goal by David Okereke

Napoli responded with a quick-fire double in the 33rd and 36th minutes, with Juan Jesus and Giovanni Simeone registering on the scoresheet.

Napoli were cruising to victory, with thoughts of their opponents in the next round on their minds, before Ghana's Felix Afena-Gyan poured sand in their broth.

The 19-year-old struck in the 87th minute, sending the game to extra-time.

Felix-Afena Gyan celebrates scoring for Napoli against Cremonese
Felix-Afena Gyan celebrates scoring for Napoli against Cremonese

Cremonese's Leonardo Sernicola was shown a second yellow card in the 10th minute of extra time, just a few minutes after receiving the first in the 90+7 minute.

Referee Maria Sole Ferrieri shows a red card during the Italy Cup football match between SSC Napoli and US Cremonese at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Napoli (Italy), January 17th
Referee Maria Sole Ferrieri shows a red card during the Italy Cup football match between SSC Napoli and US Cremonese at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Napoli (Italy), January 17th

Napoli brought on their biggest gun at this point, Victor Osimhen, but could not manage to break Cremonese down throughout extra-time.

Cremonese and Napoli players attend the penalties shoot out during the Italy Cup football match between SSC Napoli and US Cremonese at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Napoli (Italy)
Cremonese and Napoli players attend the penalties shoot out during the Italy Cup football match between SSC Napoli and US Cremonese at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Napoli (Italy)

The game went into penalties, and both teams were perfect in the first three rounds of tries. Stanislav Lobotka missed Napoli's fourth penalty, so Osimhen scoring Partenopei's final penalty was meaningless because the Cremonese scored their last two.

Lobotka after missing his penalty
Lobotka after missing his penalty

Cremonese advanced into the quarter-final of the competition while Napoli would turn their sights towards Serie A and the Champions League for a chance at silverware this season 

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The Nigerians on show 

David Okereke put on an impressive performance in the 65 minutes he was on the field.

David Okereke celebrating the victory with his teammate
David Okereke celebrating the victory with his teammate

He set up the first goal of the game for Cremonese, in what was one of the two scoring chances he created for his teammates.

Victor Osimhen started on the bench in a game where Spalleti thought he would not have to be called upon.

However, staring down the barrel, Spalletti brought out his own bigger gun, Victor Osimhen. The Italian manager did not make the change until 12 minutes into extra-time, making his thoughts clear that he hoped not to have to use the Nigerian.

Victor Osimhen of Napoli during SSC Napoli vs US Cremonese, Italian football Coppa Italia match in Naples, Italy, January 17 2023
Victor Osimhen of Napoli during SSC Napoli vs US Cremonese, Italian football Coppa Italia match in Naples, Italy, January 17 2023

Osimhen was unable to grab a much-needed winner for Napoli, but he kept his cool on the spot, converting a penalty for Napoli in the shoot-out.

Ghana's Felix Afena-Gyan fires Cremonese past Napoli

David Okereke set up the first goal for Grigiorossi, and Afena-Gyan scored the second in what could be described as African stars steering Cremonese past Napoli.

Coppa Italia Felix Afena-Gyan of US Cremonese celebrates after scoring 2-2 during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and US Cremonese
Coppa Italia Felix Afena-Gyan of US Cremonese celebrates after scoring 2-2 during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and US Cremonese

The West Africans did not share the field at the same time as Afena-Gyan came on for Okereke in the 65th minute.

The young Ghanaian who scored for Cremonese in a previous round of the Coppa Italia was on the mark again for Grigiorossi on Tuesday night.

Afena-Gyan timed his jump to perfection as he latched onto what was a hopeful cross from Luca Zanimacchia.

Cremone players celebrate at the end of the Italy Cup football match between SSC Napoli and US Cremonese at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Napoli (Italy), January 17th,
Cremone players celebrate at the end of the Italy Cup football match between SSC Napoli and US Cremonese at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Napoli (Italy), January 17th,

Gyan would also be the hero in the shoot-outs, as he scored the decisive penalty for Cremonese, sending them into the quarter-final of the competition.