Super Eagles invitee scores on Serie A debut, denies Lookman's Atalanta three points

Nigeria's rising Serie A sensation Rafiu Durosinmi announced his arrival with a thunderous equaliser, powering 19th-placed Pisa to a gritty 1-1 draw against Ademola Lookman-deprived Atalanta in Friday's Matchday 21 clash at Arena Garibaldi.

The teenage Super Eagles hopeful, who was part of the provisional AFCON 2025 squad under Eric Chelle, capped a dream debut by rising like a colossus in the 87th minute. 

He met Mehdi Leris's pinpoint cross with a bullet header into the bottom corner, salvaging a vital point for the relegation-threatened hosts, their league-high 11th draw of the season.

Atalanta, chasing European spots in 7th, struck first in the 83rd via Nikola Krstović's roof-raising finish after Raffaele Palladino's subs unlocked Pisa's defence. 

But Durosinmi's response, off the bench, flipped the script, denying the former Europa League kings all three points and boosting Pisa off the automatic drop zone on goal difference.

Pisa's high press flustered Marco Carnesecchi early, though the Bergamo giants dominated possession before finding the breakthrough seven minutes from time with what looked like the winner.

However, new signing Durosinmi, a 68th minute substitute, ensured the lead only lasted four minutes as he powered the gallant hosts to a deserved share of the spoils. 

The stalemate hurts Atalanta's Champions League and European dreams, while Pisa, winless in 10, breathe easier ahead of a relegation scrap with Sassuolo on Jan 31.

Both sides missed AFCON stars: Pisa without midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Atalanta without talisman Lookman, who's primed for Nigeria's third-place playoff today. 

Durosinmi's heroics evoke Victor Osimhen's early Napoli sparks, signalling another Nigerian export ready to conquer Italy.