‘I can beat Yekini’s goalscoring record’ – Osimhen

Super Eagles and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has said he has the quality to match and even surpass legendary Nigerian forward Rashidi Yekini’s goalscoring record.

With 15 goals in 22 games, Victor Osimhen currently has the best goals per game ratio of any striker who has worn the Super Eagles jersey.

Yekini played in the Super Eagles squad for over 15 years, scoring 37 goals in 62 appearances over the period, the highest of any Nigerian forward.

Since his 1998 retirement, no Eagles striker has been able to match or break the late Yekini’s goalscoring record. Although Segun Odegbami, a 1980 AFCON winner, came close but finished with 23 goals, while former Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni is third with 21 goals.

Former Villarreal striker Ikechukwu Uche is fourth on the country’s scoring list with 19 goals, while Obafemi Martins rounds out the top five with 18 goals.

Osimhen, who ranks 10th on the country’s top scorers list, said he is confident he could overtake Yekini with hard work.

“I’ve said before that it’s going to be a big shoe to fill, but with the kind of quality I possess and the kind of determination I’ve acquired in my career, I think I can really break it or even surpass it,” Osimhen told Naija footballers.

“But it won’t be easy and that won’t make me the best Nigerian striker ever. For me we still have Rashidi Yekini, Odion Ighalo, Obafemi Martins and the rest, but now I believe it’s my time and it’s my turn and I think I can use it very well.”

On his ability to score with his head, the Napoli attacker added: “I practiced a lot growing up. Those who know me know that I use my head to score more goals than my feet and the mask gives me also the confidence to take on and head every duel. I think I will keep improving if I keep using my head.”