From the Green Eagles to the Super Eagles, Nigeria takes pride in having a rich collection of goal poachers that have terrorized defence lines over the years.
The late Rashidi Yekini is the most revered being the country’s all-time highest goal scorer of all time with 37 goals. However, Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Obafemi Akinwunmi Martins, Julius Aghahowa, Odion Ighalo are some of the honourable mentions in the hierarchy of Nigeria’s strikers.
In recent times, Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has tried a good number of strikers in his team especially since the retirement of Odion Ighalo.
Peter Olayinka, Dennis Bonaventure among others have had their stints with the Super Eagles but the Franco-German tactician has chosen Victor Osimhen as his first choice and the former under-17 Golden Boot winner has jealously guarded the prestigious number 9 shirt with goals.
Victor Osimhen, since he made his debut for the team in an international friendly match against Togo in 2017 has made a consistent appearance in the team.
The retirement of Odion Ighalo in 2019 signalled that Osimhen will most likely lead the Super Eagles attack line henceforth and so far, the former Lille striker hasn’t failed to impress in the colours of the team.
Osimhen, since he scored his debut goal in the two-all draw against Ukraine in 2019 has added four more goals, although he was absent in some games for the team in 2020 due to injury and COVID-19.
The 22-year-old is the current top scorer in the ongoing 2021 AFCON qualifying series with 4 goals in 4 games and he has 5 in 10 appearances so far for the Super Eagles.
Victor Osimhen has proven to be an all-round striker considering his sheer strength and preciseness in front of the goal which why he is being considered to surpass Rashidi Yekini’s 37 goal record even though he is still 32 goals away from equalling the record.
The late Rashidi Yekini scored 37 goals in 58 appearances for the national team between the 6th of April 1985 and the 22nd of February 1998.
Victor Osimhen is currently averaging a goal in two games for the Super Eagles so that erases the question of whether he will continue to score or not. The striker confessed that breaking Yekini’s record will be difficult, fans will no doubt want him to do so.
Barring injuries Victor Osimhen looks prime to break Yekini’s record which is currently 23 years old but how long will it take him to do so considering he’s only 22 years old at the moment?
