Ivory Coast and Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba, has lauded Nigerian international Victor Osimhen for his stunning goal during Napoli’s recent clash against Monza.

Osimhen’s goal, a remarkable header likened to a basketball jump shot, opened the scoring in Napoli’s 4-2 victory.

The goal captured the attention of the football world and earned him the nickname “Osi-Air” for his aerial prowess.

Despite the injury he sustained while executing the extraordinary goal, Drogba expressed admiration for the young striker’s performance,

Commenting on the goal, the former striker was quoted by The Napolista to have admitted that he wouldn’t have attempted such a feat during his playing days.

“I saw Victor score that goal against Monza. Oh God! He got hurt, I thought. I wouldn’t have gone for that ball, it’s crazy. An absurd goal!,” he said.

Osimhen is reported to have jumped 2.23 meters, although this fell short of his previous record-setting leap of 2.58 meters during Napoli’s win over Spezia, according to Sky’s Studios via The Napolista.

In the earlier match against Spezia, Osimhen recorded a staggering 71cm leap, reaching a height of 8.47 feet (2.58 meters) – higher than the crossbar (8 feet) – before heading the ball past Spezia goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski

[DailyTrust]

The image of a helicopter parent, standing at the sidelines shouting at the pitch, has long since been an unwelcome stereotype associated with children who play sport.

In some leagues, mums and dads have been issued with a code of conduct to adhere to, in order to avoid unpleasant arguments or physical fights.

However, Manchester City star Demi Stokes is more than ready for that narrative to change.

Growing up, she witnessed dads at the sidelines who yelled ‘Kick her! Break her legs!’ to her opponents. Demi’s first team – called Sunderland 24-7 – was an all-girls team who boldly played in a boys’ league.

‘Some parents get so caught up in thinking “they’re not this, they’re not doing that.” I just think “why does it matter?”,’ Demi, 32, tells Metro.

‘As long as your son or daughter is happy playing sport and becoming more confident in who they are, that’s what’s important. 

‘Taking the pressure away can allow kids to feel more free.’

Born in Birmingham before moving to South Shields, Demi always dreamed of playing football and had a giant poster of David Beckham above her bed.

It was her former PE teacher Ian Williamson, who taught the former Sunderland full-back from the age of 10 at Marine Park Primary School, and urged her to trial for Sunderland’s youth team.

Demi credits him, as well as her mum and nan, with giving her the confidence to brush off laughter from any boys who scoffed at the fact she played football.

‘Ian was brilliant,’ she remembers. ‘It was the encouragement of the people I had around me that kept me going. They supported me, but equally didn’t put too much pressure on me.

‘It was like “we’ll let her figure it out, let her blossom and become whoever she wants to be.’

Previously, research has found that a third of UK children had missed out on a sporting opportunity because of the costs involved, with football, swimming and tennis topping the list.

‘The world is a crazy place where a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet,’ says Demi, who has one son.

‘You never know what people’s lives at home are like, or what they’ve gone through, so these new clubs are massive for kids.

‘Not everyone has the support of parents, family members of school teachers. So football can become a little safe haven where they can feel at home. They’ll make a huge difference in letting kids express themselves and grow in confidence.’ 

As part of Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses team who claimed the Euro 2022 crown, ending a 56-year wait for a major international honour, Demi has also represented Team GB at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and has made more than 200 appearances for Manchester City.

She still has to pinch herself at how far she’s come. When asked if ten-year-old self could have seen her array of achievements coming, Demi laughs.

‘No, not at all,’ she says. ‘As a kid you think “oh, I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that,” unaware you have to make money and pay the bills. It’s been a crazy journey but an incredible one as well. I always say I’m very fortunate and grateful for the journey I’ve had.

‘The opportunities for a young girl today who wants to play football are so exciting. And things are only going to keep improving the more we win and the more the Lionesses win. Women’s football is in a good place but we’re not satisfied yet.

‘If we all play our part, we can make sure that growth keeps happening.’

Kellogg’s Football Camps sessions will begin in July.  Sessions will take place throughout the week during the school summer holidays, with all abilities welcome. 

[Newspot]