‘Unselfish’ Victor Osimhen making giant strides toward equalling Yekini legacy

Former Super Eagles marksman Odion Ighalo has offered a ringing endorsement of Victor Osimhen, framing the Nigeria striker as a forward whose value goes far beyond goals.

The 27-year-old’s numbers at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) already speak loudly. Four goals, two assists, and a constant presence in Nigeria’s best moments have made him central to the Super Eagles’ run, even if Ademola Lookman edges him on overall contributions. Yet Ighalo’s focus was on the work that rarely makes highlight reels.

“Like I always say, he missed a couple of big chances. He should have had, like, three goals today, but he did so well,” Ighalo said on SuperSport. “He got one goal and the assist… He’s a striker every team needs because he’s not selfish.

“He works hard, provides, scores and runs at defenders.”

How Osimhen’s AFCON 2025 has been about demolishing doubt

Osimhen now sits on 35 international goals, just two short of Rashidi Yekini’s record. Almost as important is the fact that he remains in the race for the tournament Golden Boot, with his tally bettered only by Morocco’s Brahim Diaz.

It has been a groundbreaking tournament for the Galatasaray man who, despite his sterling record with the Super Eagles, had question marks hanging over him. Coming into AFCON 2025, his tally consisted almost entirely of qualifying matches against modest opposition, leading some to label him a flat-track bully.

He has put those concerns firmly to bed, particularly with his goal in the domination of Algeria coming against opposition that sit higher than Nigeria in the most recent FIFA rankings. He has also impressed, as Ighalo highlighted, with his selflessness, laying on goals for both Akor Adams and Lookman as part of what has been a highly dynamic front three.

While, even if he surpasses Yekini’s record, he would still have some way to go in terms of replacing the Goalsfather in the hearts and minds of Nigerians and Africans as a whole, achieving the improbable and winning the AFCON would decidedly open up the conversation.