National Teams
Victor Osimhen closes in on Rashidi Yekini’s all-time Nigeria scoring record
By Wale Mustapha
Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen has moved to within eight goals of Nigeria’s all-time top scorer record, following his hat-trick in Tuesday’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Benin Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Osimhen, who entered the match with 26 international goals, netted three times in Uyo to bring his tally to 29 goals for Nigeria.
The 26-year-old now sits just behind the late Rashidi Yekini, who leads the Super Eagles’ all-time scoring chart with 37 goals.
The Galatasaray striker’s performance was instrumental in the team’s dominant display against Gernot Rohr’s Benin side, further cementing his status as one of the most prolific strikers in Nigerian football history.
With several crucial fixtures still ahead, Osimhen is now firmly in sight of a record that has stood for nearly three decades.
Yekini, who passed away in 2012, remains a legendary figure in Nigerian football, best remembered for scoring Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup goal in 1994.
Osimhen’s rapid rise through the scoring ranks has seen him surpass legends such as Segun Odegbami (23 goals), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (21), and Ikechukwu Uche (19).
Osimhen’s next opportunity to close the gap will come during the upcoming World Cup playoff matches, where Nigeria will face stiff competition in a bid to secure a return to the global stage after missing out in 2022.
Nigeria’s All-Time Top Scorers (Official Matches)
Rashidi Yekini – 37 goals
Victor Osimhen – 29 goals
Segun Odegbami – 23 goals
Yakubu Aiyegbeni – 21 goals
Ikechukwu Uche – 19 goals
Obafemi Martins – 18 goals
Sunday Oyarekua – 17 goals
Samson Siasia, Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa – 16 goals
