Super Eagles talisman Victor Osimhen has taken a major stride toward breaking Rashidi Yekini’s historic all-time goal record for Nigeria after scoring a brace in Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Galatasaray striker found the net twice — once in the 25th minute and again early in the second half ; bringing his international goal tally for Nigeria to 34, just three goals shy of Yekini’s long-standing record of 37 goals. Yekini’s milestone has stood for decades, and Osimhen’s march toward it continues to captivate Nigerian football fans.
Historic Night in Fez
Against a resilient Mozambique side at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, Osimhen opened the scoring by tapping in an assist from Akor Adams before doubling the lead with a composed finish from an Ademola Lookman pass. His goals not only powered Nigeria into the quarter-finals but also marked a significant personal milestone in his growing legacy with the national team.
The night also marked Osimhen’s 50th cap for the Super Eagles — a testament to his consistency at the international level. The 27-year-old has been in sensational form since March 2025, scoring nine goals in ten matches for Nigeria across competitive fixtures, solidifying his position as one of Africa’s deadliest forwards.
Rivalry With History
Rashidi Yekini, who retired in 1998 with 37 goals in 62 appearances for Nigeria, remains an iconic figure in Nigerian football history. His mark has been the benchmark for Nigerian strikers for nearly three decades, and Osimhen’s pursuit adds a compelling narrative to the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 campaign.
Despite drawing attention to his quest, Osimhen has downplayed individual milestones in recent interviews, emphasizing that team success and contributing to Nigeria’s bid for a fourth AFCON title outweigh personal records. He stated that records will come in due time but his focus remains on the collective goal.
As the Super Eagles aim for continental glory, Osimhen’s scoring exploits continue to be a focal point of Nigeria football news and AFCON 2025 coverage.
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