By Uche Amunike
Twenty four year old Victor Osimhen’s hattrick at the match between the Nigerian National team and Sao Tome and Principe in the AFCON qualifier finals at the Godswill Akpabip International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, has raised him to the fourth position in the list of highest goal scorers for Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Osimhen, who was nominated last week for the 2023 Ballon D’or Awards, which will take place on December 2023, is one of the four African players who are aiming to win one of the most renowned awards in the soccer world, since George Weah attained it in 1995.
Below, are the highest goal scorers for the Super Eagles in an ascending order:
Rashidi Yekini: He is by far and away, Nigeria’s all time top goal scorer with 37 goals, which is at least, 14 goals higher than any other player in the National team so far. A lot of people believe that his records will remain unbroken as he tops the chart of highest goal scorer for the Super Eagles. Recall that Yekini scored 37 goals in 58 games at an impressive ratio of 0.63 goals per game. It is something that every Nigerian footballer has looked up to since Yekini retired from the Nigerian Super Eagles in 1998, 14 years after he joined the team.
Segun Odegbami: This young footballer is generally known as a mathematician because of his sharp eye for goals. Out of the 46 games he played for the Super Eagles, he scored 23 goals within a shorter period of time, compared to the remaining top ten. His National team career lasted for 14 years.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni: This certified goal machine and great finisher is one of the top ten leading scorers of the Super Eagles. He scored 21 goals in 57 games for the team between 2000 and 2012. He is famous for his miss against South Korea at the 2010 World Cup.
Victor Osimhen: He has currently scored 10 goals in the current African Cup of Nations qualifier after Sunday’s hattrick against Sao Tome. He scored a brace against Sierra Leone on June 18, 2023 to take his Super Eagles tally to 17 goals, making him the highest scoring active player in the National team. His hattrick on Sunday marked the 20th so far.
Ikechukwu Uche: This player established himself as an outstanding player and reliable performer in his eight years of playing for the Super Eagles. He is in the top ten all-time scorers list of the Super Eagles. Out of 46 games played by Ikechukwu, between 2007 and 2015, he scored a total of 19 goals for the National team. He retired as their Number 4 highest goal scorer.
Obafemi Martins: This former Inter Milan striker, fondly called ‘Obagoal’, has scored 18 goals out of 48 football matches for the Super Eagles between 2004 and 2015 and is one of the best strikers to ever represent the Super Eagles. He is on their top 10 scorers list.
Sunday Oyarekhua: He scored 17 goals in 28 games between 1971 and 1976 for the team, when they were still known as the Green Eagles. He was legendary in the 70s and is on the Top 10 national team’s all-time top scorers list.
Samson Siasia: This Legend had a very successful playing career and has made it to the top ten list. He is more prominent for his national team involvement as a coach, more than a player. Out of his 51 appearances for the national team between 1984 and 1999 before he retired, he scored 16 goals.
Odion Ighalo: He is another striker for the Super Eagles who has scored 16 goals for the national team, out of 37 appearances since he came on board in 2015.
Ahmed Musa: 30 year old Ahmed Musa is one of the most capped players in the Nigerian national team. He is also one of the strikers on the list of all time highest goal scorers, having scored sixteen goals, out of the 107 games he has played since playing for Nigeria in 2010.
