5 Yekini Super Eagles records Osimhen needs to break

Published on by Toyosi Afolayan

Rashidi Yekini remains an iconic figure in Nigerian football: his predatory instincts and clinical finishing make him a national treasure.

The striker, who fired Nigeria to the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations title, holds the record for the most goals scored for the Super Eagles. Yekini's international journey concluded following the 1998 World Cup in France, leaving behind a formidable legacy.

Despite the efforts of subsequent generations of strikers – from Obafemi Martins to Yakubu Aiyegbeni – no one has come close to matching Yekini’s prolificacy. Yet, a new challenger has emerged in the form of Victor Osimhen.

5 Rashidi Yekini Super Eagles records Victor Osimhen needs to break
Photo by IMAGO

The Napoli forward has already netted 21 times for his country, a tally that places him in elite company. His raw power, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing have drawn inevitable comparisons to Yekini. As Osimhen continues to develop, the question is: can he truly step out of the shadow of the legendary striker?

In this article, we examine five records held by Yekini that Osimhen will be aiming to break.

All-time Super Eagles scoring record

If there is a man capable of breaking Rashidi Yekini’s international scoring record, it is Victor Osimhen.

Having already netted 21 goals in 35 appearances for the Super Eagles, the theoretical possibility of reaching Yekini's haul of 37 is within the realm of possibility. However, this would require maintaining his current average of 0.6 goals per game, a feat in itself.

Even if he achieves this remarkable consistency, dislodging Yekini from the hearts of Nigerians as the nation's all-time leading scorer will be no easy task.

Goals in senior international tournaments for Super Eagles

Rashidi Yekini scored 14 goals for Nigeria in senior international competitions (FIFA & CAF). This is a record no Nigerian player has surpassed, with Julius Aghahowa the closest with seven goals.

5 Rashidi Yekini Super Eagles records Victor Osimhen needs to break
Photo by Icon Sport

Scoring in consecutive Africa Cups of Nations (AFCON)

Rashidi Yekini holds the record for scoring in four consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments(1988, 1990, 1992, and 1994), a feat no other Nigerian footballer has achieved.

Goals in bunches

Rashidi Yekini's goal-scoring prowess for Nigeria is highlighted by his ability to score multiple goals in a single match. He netted four goals in one match against Burkina Faso, a hat-trick against Ethiopia, and seven braces for the Super Eagles.

Rashidi Yekini's long list of victims

Yekini's goal-scoring prowess was spread across 16 different opponents for Nigeria. Côte d'Ivoire was his most frequent victim, ironically given his three-year stint with Africa Sport. He netted seven times against Les Eléphants, followed by Kenya (five goals) and Burkina Faso (four goals). To dispel any notion of being a flat-track bully, Yekini also scored against the likes of Egypt, Algeria, and Cameroon.

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Toyosi Afolayan

Toyosi Afolayan is a sports journalist who breathes life into the games we love. He loves to combine insightful analysis with historical background, creating a richer understanding of sports. Afolayan's expertise ranges from captivating narratives to live broadcasts, captivating audiences across platforms like Ojbsport, AllNigeriaSoccer, TVC Entertainment, Bounce Networks, Kwara TV, ICIR, EaglesTracker, and NFF TV. His background in History and International Studies adds depth, revealing the connections between sports, politics, and national identity.