Victor Osimhen has solidified his status as one of Nigeria’s greatest footballers by climbing to third on the Super Eagles’ all time top scorers’ list. He achieved this milestone by scoring his 22nd goal during Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Benin Republic in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON qualifier.
The 25 year old striker came off the bench in the 72nd minute, replacing Victor Boniface, and found the back of the net just six minutes later. He connected with a low cross from Wilfred Ndidi, acrobatically firing the ball past the Benin goalkeeper to double Nigeria’s lead. Ademola Lookman had already opened the scoring with a brilliant strike.
Osimhen’s goal helped secure Nigeria’s qualification for AFCON and saw him surpass Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s 21 goals for the national team. Now sitting on 22 goals, Osimhen is just one goal away from equaling Segun Odegbami’s 23 goal record, and within reach of Rashidi Yekini’s record of 37 goals.
As Osimhen continues his meteoric rise, fans are excitedly watching his progress, with many believing it’s only a matter of time before he becomes Nigeria’s top scorer in history. His goal scoring form will be crucial to Nigeria’s success in the upcoming AFCON tournament.
Editorial
Victor Osimhen’s climb to third place on Nigeria’s all time top scorers’ list is a testament to his incredible talent and consistency. Surpassing Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s tally of 21 goals is no small feat, and Osimhen’s remarkable ability to perform in key moments for the Super Eagles has made him a fan favourite.
As he edges closer to Segun Odegbami’s record of 23 goals, it’s clear that Osimhen is on track to become Nigeria’s greatest scorer. His passion, work ethic, and goal scoring prowess are exactly what Nigeria needs to succeed in future tournaments like the AFCON.
The future looks bright for Osimhen and the Super Eagles, and we eagerly anticipate watching him break more records and create history for Nigerian football.
Did You Know?
- Rashidi Yekini remains Nigeria’s all time top scorer with 37 goals, a record Osimhen is keen to surpass.
- Segun Odegbami, who Osimhen is chasing, scored 23 goals for the Super Eagles and is one of the most iconic players in Nigeria’s football history.
- Victor Osimhen scored his 22nd international goal at just 25 years old, showing his potential to break long standing records.
- Osimhen plays his club football for Napoli in Italy, where he has established himself as one of the top strikers in Europe.
- Yakubu Aiyegbeni, whom Osimhen surpassed, was known for his goal scoring ability during his time with clubs in the English Premier League.
