Sun Sep 08 00:09:54 UTC 2024: ## Osimhen Surpasses Yakubu, Becomes Third Highest Super Eagles Goal Scorer

**Uyo, Akwa Ibom State:** Victor Osimhen has climbed to third place on the Super Eagles all-time goalscoring list, surpassing legendary striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni. The Napoli forward netted his 22nd international goal in Nigeria’s convincing 3-0 victory over Benin Republic in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.

Osimhen, who recently joined Galatasaray on loan, entered the match as a substitute in the 73rd minute and wasted no time in making his mark. Just six minutes after coming on, he put Nigeria 2-0 up, following Ademola Lookman’s first-half opener.

This milestone solidifies Osimhen’s place in Nigerian football history. He has now scored 22 goals in just 36 appearances for the Super Eagles, boasting an impressive scoring rate of 0.61 goals per game. His prolific form, particularly in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers where he netted 10 goals, has propelled him up the scoring charts.

Osimhen now sits behind only Rashidi Yekini, the all-time leading scorer with 37 goals, and Segun Odegbami, who holds the second spot with 23 goals. Yekini’s record remains a significant mark of excellence, having played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON triumph and becoming the first Nigerian to score in a World Cup. Odegbami, famed for his precise dribbling and goalscoring, was instrumental in Nigeria’s first AFCON title win in 1980.

With his impressive goal-scoring consistency, Osimhen’s potential to break Yekini’s long-standing record is a growing topic of speculation. As he continues to make his mark on the international stage, the Super Eagles faithful eagerly await more milestones from their prolific striker.

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