Victor Osimhen has cemented his place among Nigeria’s football greats, climbing to third on the Super Eagles’ all-time top scorers’ list after netting his 22nd goal in Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Benin Republic in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Saturday evening.
The 25-year-old striker came off the bench in the 72nd minute, replacing Victor Boniface. It took Osimhen only six minutes to make an impact, as he connected with a low cross from Wilfred Ndidi, acrobatically firing past the Benin goalkeeper to double Nigeria’s lead.
Ademola Lookman had earlier opened the scoring with a superb strike, setting the tone for the Super Eagles’ dominant performance in Uyo.
Osimhen’s goal not only helped secure Nigeria’s qualification but also saw him surpass the legendary Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s tally of 21 goals for the national team.
With 22 goals, Osimhen now stands third on Nigeria’s all-time scoring chart, just one goal shy of Segun Odegbami’s 23-goal record.
He is now within touching distance of Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing record of 37 goals, a milestone that has stood for decades.
Osimhen’s meteoric rise has been a source of excitement for Nigerian fans, who are eagerly following his progress.
With his lethal finishing ability and knack for scoring in crucial moments, many believe it is only a matter of time before the Napoli striker surpasses both Odegbami and Yekini to become Nigeria’s all-time top scorer.
As Nigeria looks ahead to the AFCON tournament, Osimhen’s form will be key to their success, and the forward remains poised to further etch his name into the annals of Nigerian football history.
Nigeria’s Top 3 Scorers:
1. Rashidi Yekini – 37 goals
2. Segun Odegbami – 23 goals
3. Victor Osimhen – 22 goals
