Flying Eagles striker Orji Okonkwo netted his maiden professional goal as Bologna beat Sassuolo 1-0 at Stadio Città del Tricolore, Reggio Emilia on game week six in the Italian Serie A on Sunday.

Okonkwo subbed in after 86 minutes and spent only three minutes on the turf before netting the winner for The Red and Blues, aged 19 years, 8 months and 5 days.

Having opened his goalscoring account for Bologna, he became the sixth youngest Nigerian player to score in the history of the Italian Serie A, and the fourth youngest player to score in the Italian top-flight this season.

The Nigerian record was set by Victor Obinna on September 25, 2005 when he netted against UC Sampdoria while defending the colours of Chievo Verona, aged 18 years and 6 months.

The previous record was held by former Inter Milan wonderkid Obafemi Martins, who scored in his team's 1-1 draw with Atalanta on May 3, 2003 aged 18 years,6 months and 5 days.

Hugo Enyinnaya (Bari), Umar Sadiq (Roma), Christian Obodo (Perugia) and Odion Ighalo (Udinese) complete the top seven youngest Nigerians to score in the Serie A.

Youngest Nigerian Teenagers To Score In The Italian Serie A

1) Victor Obinna - 18 years and 6 months - Chievo Verona vs Sampdoria, September 25, 2005.
2) Obafemi Martins - 18 years, 6 months and 5 days - Atalanta vs Inter Milan, May 3, 2003
3) Hugo Enyinnaya - 18 years, 7 months and 10 days - Bari vs Inter Milan, December 18, 1999
4) Umar Sadiq - 18 years, 10 months and 18 days - Roma vs Genoa, December 20, 2015
5) Christian Obodo - 19 years and 13 days - Inter Milan vs Perugia, May 24, 2003
6) Orji Okonkwo - 19 years, 8 months and 5 days - Sassuolo vs Bologna, September 24, 2017
7) Odion Ighalo - 19 years, 11 months and 15 days - Udinese vs Cagliari Calcio, May 31, 2009

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : bolognafc.it