Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen’s name continues to echo loudly in Nigeria’s football history as the Super Eagles striker moved within touching distance of Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing goal record at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Osimhen netted twice as Nigeria swept aside Mozambique 4-0 in a commanding Round-of-16 clash at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, Morocco. Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams were also on target as the Super Eagles booked their place in the quarter-finals in emphatic fashion.
The Galatasaray forward opened the scoring in the 25th minute, calmly tapping home after a fine assist from Akor Adams. He struck again shortly after the restart, finishing off a precise pass from Lookman to put Nigeria firmly in control.
Those goals took Osimhen’s international tally to 34, leaving him just three strikes shy of equalling Yekini’s iconic record of 37 goals for Nigeria — a milestone that has stood unchallenged for decades.
The night also marked a personal landmark for the 26-year-old, who earned his 50th cap for the Super Eagles, further cementing his growing legacy in the green and white.
Osimhen was substituted in the 63rd minute following a brief on-field disagreement with Lookman, but by then, the damage had already been done as Nigeria cruised comfortably to victory.
Yekini, who retired in 1998, remains Nigeria’s highest scorer with 37 goals from 62 appearances. Osimhen surpassed Segun Odegbami in March 2025 to become the country’s second-highest scorer and has been in devastating form ever since.
Since March 2025, the Napoli-born striker has scored nine goals in his last 10 appearances for the Super Eagles, underlining his consistency at the highest level. At AFCON 2025, he has now scored three goals, placing him joint second on the tournament’s scorers’ chart.
Despite edging closer to history, Osimhen insists personal records are not his priority.
He said, “I don’t think about records. I just fight for the team and try to contribute with goals and assists.”
Nigeria will now turn attention to Saturday’s quarter-final showdown, where they will face either Algeria or the Democratic Republic of Congo as they chase a fourth AFCON title. (NAN)
