In the annals of Nigerian football history, one name has reigned supreme in the realm of goal-scoring for a remarkable 25 years – Rasheed Yekini.
As fans of the Super Eagles know all too well, Yekini’s prolific record of 37 goals has stood the test of time, and many have tried but failed to surpass this milestone.
Rasheed Yekini’s legacy is etched with the bitter-sweet memories of what could have been. His prime years were marred by missed opportunities due to competitions and politics within the team.
Yet, he managed to shine as the top scorer at the 1994 African Cup of Nations, a tournament where Nigeria emerged victorious in Tunisia.
The 1996 African Cup of Nations, hosted and won by South Africa, could have been another feather in Nigeria’s cap, but the team’s failure to participate led to a ban from the 1998 edition.
It’s safe to say that Nigeria’s dominance and Yekini’s goal-scoring prowess would have easily secured a fourth title for the Super Eagles.
Over the years, Nigerian football has seen its share of celebrated strikers, from Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Ikechukwu Uche to Obafemi Martins and Kanu Nwankwo, yet none came close to breaking Yekini’s record. It seemed an insurmountable feat.
However, the winds of change are blowing through Nigerian football, and Victor Osimhen has emerged as the new star on the horizon. The 24-year-old Napoli striker, who earned a nomination for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, has been on a remarkable goal-scoring spree for the Super Eagles.
Osimhen boasts an impressive tally of 20 goals in just 26 appearances for the national team. His recent performance, with five goals in his last two games for Nigeria, underscores his prowess as a goal-scoring sensation.
Victor Osimhen has become a beloved figure among sports-loving youths worldwide and Nigerian enthusiasts engaged in online betting due to his consistent delivery on the field. The online betting community has embraced him as a go-to choice, thanks to his reliable goal-scoring ability.
With his current goal-scoring rate, it’s only a matter of time before he shatters Rasheed Yekini’s long-standing record.
Here’s a breakdown of Victor Osimhen’s 20 goals for Nigeria in 26 games:
- 7 goals against São Tomé and Príncipe 🇸🇹
- 4 goals against Sierra Leone 🇸🇱
- 3 goals against Lesotho 🇱🇸
- 2 goals against Cape Verde 🇨🇻
- 1 goal against Ukraine 🇺🇦
- 1 goal against Benin Republic 🇧🇯
- 1 goal against Liberia 🇱🇷
- 1 goal against Central African Republic 🇨🇫
As Osimhen continues to dazzle on the pitch, he inches closer to etching his name in Nigerian football history alongside legends like Rasheed Yekini. Here’s a look at the top 10 all-time scorers for the Nigeria Super Eagles:
10. Odion Ighalo – 16 goals
9. Jay-Jay Okocha – 14 goals
8. Ahmed Musa – 13 goals
7. Kanu Nwankwo – 13 goals
6. Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins – 18 goals
5. Ikechukwu Uche – 19 goals
4. Victor Osimhen – 20 goals
3. Yakubu Aiyegbeni – 21 goals
2. Segun Odegbami – 23 goals
1. Rasheed Yekini – 37 goals
As Victor Osimhen continues his remarkable journey, Nigerian football fans hold their breath, hoping to witness the birth of a new goal-scoring legend in the making while online betting enthusiasts ride the wave of his goal-scoring prowess.