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Nigerian star becomes 2nd African player to score 20 goals in a Serie A season after Samuel Eto'o

Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 10:41 PM by Oluwatomiwa Babalola

- Nigerian star Simy Nwankwo helped Crotone avoid defeat against Benevento

- The striker scored an added minute goal to ensure the game ended in a 1-1 draw

- Simy has now become the second African after Samuel Eto'o to score 20+ goals in a single Serie A season

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Nigeria international Simeon Nwankwo stretched his Italian League goals tally to 20 after scoring in Crotone's 1-1 draw at Benevento on Sunday, May 16.

The 29-year-old forward grabbed the equaliser from close range after converting Pedro Pereira's low cross from the right side of the 18-yard box despite being crowded by defenders.

His goal ensured that they avoided defeat despite playing one-man down since Vladimir Golemic was shown a straight red card in the 24th minute.

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This was 11 minutes after the hosts opened the scoring through Gianluca Lapadula with Perparim Hetemaj responsible for the assist.

Nigerian star becomes 2nd African player to score 20 goals in a Serie A season after Samuel Eto'o — Crotone stars celebrating Nigeria's Simy Nwankwo after scoring 20th Serie A goal of the season vs Benevento. Photo by Francesco Pecoraro
Source: Getty Images

However, the Super Eagles attacker was persistent until he scored and become the second-ever African player to score 20 goals or more in a single season in the Serie A after Samuel Eto'o.

The Cameroonian set the record in the 2010/11 season after finding the back of the net 21 times for Inter Milan under former boss Leonardo.

And Simy could equal his record or even surpass it on the last day of the Italian League when they battle Atalanta on home turf.

Meanwhile, except if other clubs come for his signature this summer, the Nigerian will be campaigning in the Serie B next season.

Legit.ng earlier reported that Paul Onuachu scored his 35th goal of the season as Genk beat Anderlecht 2-1 away from home in the Belgian league play-offs.