Osimhen Plays Down Record Chase as Super Eagles Star Eyes AFCON Glory

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has played down talks of chasing Rashidi Yekini’s all-time goals record, insisting his main focus remains helping Nigeria lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy.

Osimhen moved within touching distance of history after scoring in Nigeria’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Algeria at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Saturday. The goal took his international tally to 35 goals, just two shy of Yekini’s long-standing record of 37 goals for the Super Eagles.

Despite the growing excitement around a potential milestone, the Galatasaray forward was quick to shift attention away from personal achievements and toward collective success.

“It doesn’t matter if I equal or surpass Rashidi Yekini’s record. For me, he is the greatest striker Nigeria ever produced. I just want to win something important for my country,” Osimhen told reporters.

Yekini, a former African Player of the Year, remains a revered figure in Nigerian football history, and Osimhen’s words reflect a deep respect for the legacy he left behind.

Opinion: Records Will Come, But Osimhen’s Mindset Is the Real Win

Osimhen’s comments perfectly capture why he has become more than just Nigeria’s leading striker of this generation — he is a leader driven by purpose, not numbers. In an era where individual records often dominate headlines, his willingness to place national success above personal glory speaks volumes.

Ironically, this selfless mindset is exactly what could lead him to break Yekini’s record sooner rather than later. When a striker plays free of obsession and focused purely on the team, goals tend to follow naturally.

More importantly, Osimhen’s hunger for silverware mirrors the mood of a Super Eagles squad that looks united, disciplined, and fearless. If Nigeria go on to lift the AFCON trophy, history will remember Osimhen not just as a record-breaker — but as a striker who delivered when it mattered most.

And in the hearts of Nigerian fans, that may be the greatest record of all.