Former Napoli forward, Stefan Schwoch, has praised Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen as a phenomenal player but acknowledged that the 25-year-old isn’t skilled at penalties.
Schwoch made the comments on Tuesday during Italian TV program, Il bello del calcio, referring to Osimhen’s penalty miss during Napoli’s 2-1 win over Juventus.
After Kvicha Kvaratskhelia volleyed in the opener for the defending champions before halftime, Federico Chiesa equalised for Juventus and Osimhen had a chance to win the game for Napoli in the closing stages after winning a penalty off a foul by Joseph Nonge.
Osimhen’s penalty was, however, saved by Wojciech Szczęsny but the rebound was turned in by Giacomo Raspadori to give Napoli their 12th win of the season.
The penalty miss against the Bianconeri is Osimhen’s third from the spot out of seven attempts, meaning he has failed to convert almost half of his penalties and Schwoch believes these are too many misses.
“It’s impossible not to save it (Osimhen’s penalty), given his body posture. Three errors out of seven attempts from the spot are too many.
“There are phenomenal players who, however, aren’t skilled from eleven metres. Osimhen appears to be one of them,” Schwoch said.
During the recently concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast where Nigeria finished second, Osimhen scored just a goal. Despite winning two penalties at the competition, he didn’t take any with captain and tournament MVP William Troost-Ekong stepping up and scoring both at the AFCON.
This adds further backing to Schwoch’s statements that Osimhen isn’t skilled at penalties.
Since returning from the 2023 AFCON, Osimhen has been in superb form for Napoli with five goals in four games, including a hat-trick against Sassuolo last Wednesday.
In 16 league games this season, the 25-year-old has scored 11 goals and also provided three assists.
