Since the 2023 AFCON ended a few weeks back, He just can’t stop hitting the back of the net.
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has indeed found his scoring boots as he bagged a hat trick for Italian Sere A champions SC Napoli in their 6-1 mauling of Sassuolo on Wednesday.
That makes it five goals in three games since returning from AFCON.
But the hosts took the lead when Uros Racic finished a flowing move in the 17th minute.
Amir Rrahmani levelled and Osimhen scored twice to put the visitors 3-1 up at halftime before the Nigerian striker completed his hat-trick soon after the break and winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck twice to complete the rout.
Rrahmani equalised for Napoli in the 29th minute with a powerful low shot past Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli after being set up by a delightful flick from Cameroon midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.
Osimhen put Napoli two minutes later as Di Lorenzo sent another brilliant pass inside the area and Matteo Politano teed up the Nigerian with a clever backheel.
Osimhen made it 3-1 just before halftime, chipping the goalkeeper after another Politano cross.
Napoli outclassed their opponents and it was 4-1 to the visitors two minutes into the second half when Osimhen completed his hat-trick following a Sassuolo defensive error.
With his 11th league goal of the season, Osimhen became only the third Napoli player to reach double goal figures in four consecutive campaigns after Diego Maradona and Attila Sallustro.
Kvaratskhelia made it 5-1 following a solo run in the 51st minute before completing the rout with a stunning shot on a rebound 15 minutes from time.
Sassuolo, who on Sunday fired coach Alessio Dionisi after suffering their seventh loss in 10 league games, are 18th with 20 points.