AFCON 2025
By Chima Azu
Dries Mertens scored a brace in a comfortable 4:0 victory over Lazio as Napoli celebrated the life of their legend Diego Armando Maradona. The Argentine’s statue was also unveiled last night a year on after his death. It should be recalled that Napoli’s stadium was named after the Maradona.
The home side went ahead in the 7th minute of the game after Zielinski blasted home a left footed shot after an abysmal defending from Lazio. Mertens made it 2:0 three minutes later after he dribbled past two Lazio defenders and placed the ball to the left side of Pepe Reina’s post.
The Belgian made sure they weren’t missing their record signing Victor Osimhen who is out injured. Mertens second goal was a beauty, he got a pass from Lozano from the right side of the box and he lobbed the ball into the far left corner of the post to leave the keeper helpless. It should be recalled that Mertens is Napoli’s all time top scorer with over a hundred and twenty goals. Spanish international Fabian Ruiz summed up the rout with a trademark curler from outside the box to make it 4:0.
Napoli are now three points (35) clear at the top ahead of AC Milan (32) who are second on the log. After 14 games Spalleti’e men have won 11, lost 1 and drew 2 games, they would want to keep up with this form in order to chase for Scudetto title that has eluded them for over three decades.
