In a moment of immense relief and celebration, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has finally broken his Africa Cup of Nations goal drought, a feat that has earned him immediate recognition from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Osimhen's Decisive Header Seals Victory and Award
The breakthrough came on Saturday, December 27, 2025, during Nigeria's crucial Group Stage match against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at the ongoing AFCON 2025. With the half-time whistle approaching, Osimhen rose majestically in the 44th minute to powerfully nod home a pinpoint cross from teammate Ademola Lookman.
This goal gave Nigeria a vital lead in a match they would eventually win 3-2, with further strikes from Wilfred Ndidi and Lookman himself. The victory secured the Super Eagles' place in the tournament's Round of 16, making them the second team after Egypt to qualify.
CAF swiftly acknowledged the quality and importance of Osimhen's effort. On its official Instagram page, the continental football body named Osimhen's header as the 'Best Goal of Match-Day Six', standing out among the ten goals scored on that day of the tournament.
Ending a Long-Awaited Personal Milestone
Beyond the team success and the official accolade, the goal held profound personal significance for the Galatasaray forward. It emphatically ended a frustrating seven-game run without a goal for Osimhen at the Africa Cup of Nations.
His previous AFCON goal was a solitary strike in the 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea during Nigeria's opening game of the 2023 edition. The goal against Tunisia now takes his international tally to 32 goals for the Super Eagles, edging him closer to the legendary Rashidi Yekini's all-time Nigerian scoring record.
According to a breakdown of his international goals, Osimhen has scored against nations including Sao Tome (7), Benin (5), Sierra Leone (4), Rwanda (3), and Cape Verde (2), with single strikes against several others including the recent one against Tunisia.
Looking Ahead for the Super Eagles
With the pressure of the drought lifted, Osimhen and the Nigerian team can now focus on their final Group Stage match against Uganda on Tuesday, December 30. The team will be aiming to build momentum as they advance into the knockout stages of AFCON 2025.
The goal and award come after former Nigeria defender Celestine Babayaro had publicly pointed out what he perceived as a weakness in Osimhen's game, specifically his timing of runs and awareness of markers. Osimhen's clinical finish against Tunisia served as a potent response on the pitch.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Victor Osimhen to see if this goal marks the beginning of a prolific scoring run that could not only propel Nigeria to glory but also see him chase down the nation's historic goal-scoring record.
