'Racism!' Nigerian fans furious as Serie A 'picks' Kvaratskhelia over Osimhen for 'new king of Napoli'

'Racism!' Nigerian fans furious as Serie A 'picks' Kvaratskhelia over Osimhen for 'new king of Napoli'

Allan Damba • 18:35 - 06.05.2023

Maradona, who passed on in 2020, has since been a club god of sorts, but with the latest triumph at the club, another is bound to be 'inducted.'

Napoli clinched the 2022/23 Italian Serie A title, ending a 33-year wait since 1990, under the inspiration of the legendary Diego Maradona.

Maradona, who passed on in 2020, has since been a club god of sorts, but with the latest triumph at the club, another is bound to be 'inducted.'

While the entire team has been superb all season under the guidance of Luciano Spalleti, two players; Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have been outstanding.

Napoli forward VIctor Osimhen
Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia (right) celebrate the trophy'winning goal|Imago

In terms of influence though; the stats and having the most important contributions, Osimhen, who has so far bagged 22 goals and four assists in 27 games, has edged the Georgian international.

Osimhen also netted the trophy-winning goal against Udinese in a one-all draw on Thursday.

However, in a shocking tweet, at least according to football fans across Africa, particularly Nigeria where Osimhen hails from, Serie A has instead termed Kvaratskhelia the newborn king.

"A new king is crowned in Napoli," said a tweet from the official Serie A account, drawing rage from a section of fans.

"The new king- the one the whole stadium echoes, in the pubs, and coffee shops of Naples is Victor Osimhen," a fan responded.

Another added: "The real king was crowned and it's Victor Osimhen," before adding an artistic picture of the Nigerian seated on the throne.

"Victor not only gave the team so many goals but also gave the team a trophy-winning goal, let's not act like we don't who the real king is," another added with anger and disappointment.

Others went ahead to term the Italian league racist. "Racist!" A fan exclaimed.

"As usual the white guy takes the glory (and) the black guy does the work. Bunch of Italian racists," another added.

"I hope this isn't subtle racism. Osimhen, the true king of Napoli deserved his honor," a disgruntled added with agitation.

Italy and cases of racism have been an inseparable pair, with a host of players including Osimhen, Mario Balotelli, and Ademola Lookman among others, subjected to racist abuses on and off the pitch.

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