Sports

Osimhen Closes In on Yekini’s Goal Record After AFCON Brace

Victor Osimhen moved within three goals of Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing Nigeria scoring record after netting twice in the Super Eagles’ 4–0 AFCON round-of-16 win over Mozambique.

Published

8 months ago

January 6, 2026

VerseNews

Osimhen

Victor Osimhen moved within three goals of Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing Nigeria scoring record after netting twice in the Super Eagles’ 4–0 AFCON round-of-16 win over Mozambique.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is now just three goals away from equalling Rashidi Yekini’s all-time Nigeria goal record following his brace in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations round-of-16 victory over Mozambique.

Nigeria recorded a convincing 4–0 win at the Fez Stadium, with Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams also on the scoresheet. Adams’ strike marked his first goal at the AFCON.

Osimhen found the net in the 25th and 47th minutes to take his tally for the national team to 34 goals, closing in on Yekini’s record of 37. The Galatasaray forward was later substituted in the 63rd minute after a brief on-field disagreement with Lookman.

Both of Osimhen’s goals came from close range, the first assisted by Adams in the opening half and the second set up by Lookman shortly after the restart.

The match also marked Osimhen’s 50th appearance for Nigeria. The late Yekini retired in 1998 as the country’s highest scorer, having netted 37 goals in 62 international matches.

At 27, Osimhen has enjoyed a prolific run in national colours since March 2025, scoring nine goals in his last 10 appearances. Earlier this year, he overtook Segun Odegbami to become Nigeria’s second-highest goal scorer of all time.

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Despite his growing numbers, Osimhen has insisted that personal records are not his focus.

“I don’t go to bed thinking about equalling or surpassing the record,” he said while speaking in Morocco. “I’m just trying to do my best for the team, helping with goals and assists. I believe one day I’ll get there.”

Osimhen has now scored three goals at the ongoing AFCON, placing him joint second on the tournament’s scorers’ chart. Nigeria will face the winner of the Algeria versus DR Congo clash in the quarter-finals on Saturday as they continue their push for a fourth continental title.