Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen moved closer to football immortality after his heroic performance propelled the Super Eagles to a crucial 4-1 victory over Gabon in the World Cup playoff semifinal.
Osimhen's Record-Chasing Brace
In a tense match played in Rabat, Morocco on Thursday night, the game was deadlocked at 1-1 after regulation time. Victor Osimhen took control during extra time, scoring two decisive goals that secured Nigeria's passage to the CAF World Cup playoff final.
The Galatasaray striker first found the net with a sharp-angled finish in the 102nd minute, then calmly slotted home his second in the 110th minute. These crucial strikes lifted his international goal tally to 31 goals, leaving him just six shy of the legendary Rashidi Yekini's all-time record of 37 goals for Nigeria.
Detailed Breakdown of Osimhen's 31 International Goals
Osimhen's journey to 31 goals demonstrates both consistency and the ability to deliver in critical matches. His goal distribution against various national teams reveals a pattern of dominance against certain opponents while proving effective in high-pressure situations.
Complete goal breakdown by opponent:
- Sao Tome - 7 goals
- Benin - 5 goals
- Sierra Leone - 4 goals
- Lesotho - 3 goals
- Rwanda - 3 goals
- Cape Verde - 2 goals
- Gabon - 2 goals
- Ukraine - 1 goal
- Central African Republic - 1 goal
- Liberia - 1 goal
- Equatorial Guinea - 1 goal
- Zimbabwe - 1 goal
Notably, his seven-goal haul against Sao Tome and five against Benin highlight his ability to dominate weaker opposition, while his recent brace against Gabon in a must-win World Cup qualifier proves he thrives under pressure.
The Road to Breaking Yekini's Record
Rashidi Yekini's record has stood as Nigerian football's golden standard since the early 1990s, considered by many as untouchable. However, at just 26 years old, Osimhen has been widely tipped to surpass this milestone if he maintains his current scoring form for the national team.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recognized Osimhen's achievement, praising his performance against Gabon that put Nigeria in a stronger position to become Africa's representative at the inter-continental playoffs scheduled for March 2026.
With Nigeria now set to face DR Congo in the CAF World Cup playoff final on Sunday, November 16, Osimhen has another immediate opportunity to edge closer to Yekini's record while keeping Nigeria's World Cup dreams alive.
Victory against DR Congo would advance the Super Eagles to the Intercontinental playoffs, where six teams will compete for just two spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
