Europa League: Osimhen nets brace as Ndidi sees red in Leicester, Napoli draw

Victor Osimhen scored both goals as Napoli came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at Leicester City in their opening Europa League group stage tie on Thursday night.

In the thrilling encounter between two Super Eagles forwards, Kelechi Iheanacho assisted a goal but Osimhen had the bigger impact with two second half strikes to rescue Mauricio Sarri’s team from defeat.

Wilfred Ndidi was also sent off deep into stoppage time for two bookable offences.

The Foxes took the lead on nine minutes when an intelligent run from Iheanacho allowed Ayoze Perez to slot in at the far post for 1-0.

Brendan Rodgers’ men had to wait until after the hour to double their lead through Harvey Barnes, with Iheanacho turning provider on this occasion. The 24-year-old former Man City youngster won possession in midfield before laying it off to Harvey Barnes who found the bottom corner.

Osimhen started Napoli’s comeback on 69 minutes with a brilliant finish inside the penalty area. His first touch knocked the ball over Jannik Vestergaard’s head before clipping a shot over Kasper Schmeichel.

The €70 million striker then equalized on 87 minutes with a thumping header into the top corner from Matteo Politano’s cross to ensure Napoli returned to Italy with a share of the spoil.

Osimhen’s brace means the former Lille striker has contributed seven goals in his last 10 appearances for Napoli.

The Foxes go to Legia Warsaw in Poland while Napoli host Spartak Moscow of Russia in their next games set for  September 30.

In other matches of the night, Mesut Ozil scored his first European goal in three years as Fenerbahce drew 1-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt, while Leon Balogun, Nigerian defender, could not prevent Rangers from losing 2-0 at home to Olympic Lyon.