Nigeria's football history could witness a monumental shift on Wednesday night as star striker Victor Osimhen stands on the precipice of a legendary national team record. The Galatasaray forward needs just two goals against Morocco's Atlas Lions to draw level with the late, great Rashidi Yekini's all-time scoring tally for the Super Eagles.
The Record Within Reach
At 27 years old and at the peak of his formidable powers, Victor James Osimhen has amassed an impressive 35 goals in just 51 international appearances. This places him tantalisingly close to the hallowed mark set by Rashidi Yekini, who scored 37 times in 58 matches for Nigeria before his passing on May 4, 2012. Back then, Osimhen was an unknown prospect on the international stage.
The Napoli legend announced himself to the world in 2015, finishing as the top scorer with 10 goals and the second most valuable player at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, which Nigeria won. Now, history beckons at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where support from teammates like Alex Iwobi, Akor Adams, and Ademola Lookman could be crucial in his quest for parity with the 'Goalsfather'.
Iwobi's Century of Caps Approaches
While Osimhen chases goals, midfielder Alex Iwobi is steadily marching towards a different kind of milestone. Having been exceptional at this AFCON tournament, the upcoming match will mark his 96th cap for Nigeria. This brings him within touching distance of the century club, currently occupied by legends like former captain Joseph Yobo and ex-goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who both have 101 caps.
The all-time record for appearances is still held by Ahmed Musa with 111 caps. Iwobi's consistent presence and influence in the midfield make his journey to 100 caps a testament to his importance to the national team setup over the years.
Chelle's Unbeaten Run and the Moroccan Challenge
The Super Eagles will be led into this high-stakes encounter by their Franco-Malian manager, Éric Sékou Chelle, who carries a notable record. Since taking charge of Nigeria's 'A' squad 12 months ago, Chelle has never lost a competitive match in regulation time. His managerial tally stands at a tidy 11 wins and 5 draws from 17 matches, with the sole regulation-time defeat coming in a friendly against Egypt's Pharaohs in Cairo on December 16, where he fielded an understrength team.
This formidable record will be tested against a strong Moroccan side. The 90-minute battle is set to be a defining moment, not just for the team's AFCON aspirations, but for individual legacies within Nigerian football folklore.
