Napoli, still adapting to life without star striker Victor Osimhen, found a savior in André Frank Zambo Anguissa as they pulled off a dramatic late comeback to secure a 2-1 victory over Verona. The match, held at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, saw Napoli dig deep after falling behind in the first half to a penalty converted by Ange-Yoan Bonny.
With Osimhen sidelined for the season, much of the pressure has shifted to Napoli’s new signing, Romelu Lukaku, who was expected to lead the line.
However, it was Cameroonian midfielder Zambo Anguissa who stepped up in the dying minutes to deliver a crucial win for the Partenopei.
Napoli’s troubles began in the 19th minute when Verona was awarded a penalty following a clumsy challenge inside the box. Bonny calmly slotted the ball past the Napoli goalkeeper, sending the visiting fans into raptures and putting the home side under pressure early in the game.
Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Napoli struggled to break down Verona’s stubborn defense.
Lukaku, who was signed to fill the void left by Osimhen, had a quiet evening, with his impact on the game limited by tight marking and a lack of service.
As the clock ticked towards full time, it seemed Napoli would suffer a frustrating defeat. But in the 92nd minute, Lukaku finally made his presence felt.
The Belgian striker latched onto a cross and found the back of the net, leveling the score and reigniting hope among the Napoli faithful.
Just as the match appeared destined for a draw, Zambo Anguissa delivered the decisive blow.
In the 96th minute, the Cameroonian international rose above the Verona defenders to meet a perfectly weighted cross, powering an unstoppable header into the net.
His goal sparked wild celebrations both on the pitch and in the stands, as Napoli secured a vital three points.
The victory marked Napoli’s second win of the season, following their earlier triumph against Bologna.
It also helped to erase the memory of their opening-day defeat to Verona, providing a much-needed boost to the team’s morale.
For Napoli, the absence of Osimhen remains a significant challenge, but the resilience displayed in this match offers hope for the season ahead.
Zambo Anguissa’s late heroics not only earned him the accolades of his teammates but also underscored the importance of squad depth as Napoli navigates the campaign without their talismanic forward.
As the season progresses, Napoli will look to build on this momentum, with Lukaku and Zambo Anguissa likely to play pivotal roles in their pursuit of success both domestically and in Europe.
The Cameroonian’s performance, in particular, has shown that Napoli can still find ways to win, even when their star striker is not on the pitch.
🇧🇷 David Neres is a joy to watch! 😘
Setting up Anguissa at that angle is fantastic 👊pic.twitter.com/MZvIiiVoMN
— SSC Napoli Club Nigeria 🇳🇬 🏆 🏆 🏆 (@SSCNapoliNGA) August 31, 2024
