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| David Okereke |
Nigerian striker David Okereke has been named the winner of the Serie B Goal of the Month award for September, recognized for a spectacular long-range effort that helped newly promoted Benevento secure their first league victory of the 2026/27 season. The accolade highlights both the quality of the finish and the forward’s ability to produce moments of individual brilliance amid a transitional period in his career.
The award-winning goal came on September 11, 2026, during Benevento’s home match against Hellas Verona at the Stadio Ciro Vigorito. With the score level at 1-1 in the 59th minute, Okereke collected the ball outside the penalty area, shifted onto his right foot, and unleashed a powerful strike from around 30 metres. The ball arrowed into the top corner, leaving Verona goalkeeper Nicola Leali with no chance. Italian reports described it as a “bolide” (missile) or “eurogol,” a right-footed rocket that settled the contest’s momentum. Davide Lamesta added a third goal six minutes later to complete a 3-1 win—Benevento’s first points haul of substance after a difficult start that included defeats and a draw.
Okereke’s strike edged out strong competition, including a bicycle kick from Modena striker Andrea Belotti and a finish by Cremonese youngster Adin Ličina. The Nigerian’s effort was widely viewed as the standout for its distance, technique, and decisive impact in a tight contest.
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A Career Marked by Versatility and Journeys Across Europe
Born on August 29, 1997, in Lagos, Okereke stands 1.82 metres tall and primarily operates as a centre-forward, though he has been deployed effectively on the flanks. His professional path reflects the typical trajectory of many talented African players who develop in Europe: early promise, high-profile moves, loans, and the need to continually prove themselves.
He began in Italy with Lavagnese before joining Spezia, where he made his Serie B debut in 2016. A productive 2018/19 campaign—10 goals and numerous assists—earned him a move to Belgian giants Club Brugge in 2019. There he contributed to a Pro League title and gained European experience, including Champions League appearances. Loans followed, including a solid stint at Venezia in Serie A (seven goals in 2021/22). Cremonese signed him permanently in 2022 for a significant fee; he scored regularly in his first season before further loans to Torino and a productive 2024/25 spell at Turkish side Gaziantep, where he netted eight or nine league goals. After returning to Cremonese for the 2025/26 season, his contract expired, paving the way for a free transfer to Benevento in August 2026. He signed a deal until June 2028, with an option for a further year.
At Benevento—the club known as “La Strega” (The Witch)—Okereke joined a side freshly promoted from Serie C and aiming for stability in Italy’s second tier. Early minutes were limited, but the Verona match marked his first start of the league campaign. The goal was his first of the season across four Serie B appearances (roughly 180-190 minutes at the time of the award). Subsequent outings, including a full-ish shift in a win over Carrarese, have shown growing involvement.
Former Cremonese sporting director Simone Giacchetta recently praised Okereke’s qualities, describing him as capable of performing at Serie A level thanks to “devastating accelerations with the ball at his feet” that can trouble defences, while noting he is not a prolific pure goalscorer. That assessment captures Okereke’s profile: more than a pure finisher, he offers dynamism, link-up play, and the capacity for spectacular individual moments.
Context for Benevento and Broader Implications
Benevento’s early-season struggles mirrored those of many newly promoted teams adapting to the physical and tactical demands of Serie B. The victory over Verona, powered by Okereke’s intervention and supported by contributions from players like Edoardo Pierozzi and Lamesta, provided a much-needed boost and lifted the side in the table. For a club with recent history of promotion and relegation between Serie A, B, and C, consistent performances from experienced arrivals like Okereke will be key to avoiding an immediate return to the third tier.
On the international front, Okereke remains one of Nigeria’s “forgotten” talents in the eyes of some observers. A former U-23 international who scored in Olympic qualifying against Libya in 2019 and once received a senior Super Eagles call-up for a friendly, he has yet to earn a full senior cap. Strong club form in Italy has historically opened doors for Nigerian players, and this award, combined with regular minutes, could renew conversations about his national-team prospects under current selectors.
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The Goal of the Month recognition itself carries modest but meaningful prestige in Serie B. It celebrates technical quality in a competitive, often attritional league and gives players visibility beyond match reports. For Okereke, arriving as a free agent with a substantial CV but looking to re-establish consistent scoring and starting status, it serves as early validation of his decision to join Benevento.
As the season progresses, the challenge for the 29-year-old will be converting such highlight-reel moments into sustained contribution. Serie B rewards consistency as much as brilliance. If Okereke can build on the September award—adding more goals, assists, and complete performances—he will not only help Benevento’s survival and mid-table ambitions but also remind observers why he once commanded multimillion-euro fees and attracted interest from top European clubs. For Nigerian football followers, it is another reminder of the deep talent pool operating successfully across Italy’s professional ranks.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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