Former Italy international, Salvatore Bagni feels that Napoli would be less brilliant without their African players in the squad.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, Senegalese centre-back, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Cameroonian midfielder, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa have been influential for the Italian club this season.
Osimhen has established himself as one of the top strikers in Italy, while Koulibaly is one of the best centre backs in the world and they are one of the reasons why Napoli are sitting at the top of the Serie A standings.
However, Napoli will be without Koulibay when they face Hellas Verona in a Serie A game on Sunday after he was sent off during the team’s 1-0 win over US Salernitana over the weekend.
“Koulibaly out of the next match?” Bagni said on AreaNapoli.
“Too bad, for a wrong pass and [Simy Nwankwo’s] skill on the line. Salernitana waited, then put [Milan] Djuric in to take advantage of his physicality, he couldn’t play a different match.”
Anguissa has walked straight into the Napoli starting line-up after joining the team from English Championship club Fulham on loan in August 2021.
“Anguissa? I too was cautioned many times, he knows how to manage. He knows when to enter, when to pass, when to intervene,” Bagni, who played for Napoli between 1984 and 1988, continued.
“He is a very important player and intelligent, there is total confidence in him. He has constant growth in the game and gives security to the team.
“When we miss the Africans [on the pitch], I hope not, but we will see another Naples, less brilliant.”
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
