Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has overtaken Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami to become the country’s second-highest goal scorer of all time.
This follows his brace in Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Rwanda in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Kigali on Friday.
The 26-year-old forward, who had previously equaled Odegbami’s record of 23 goals in November 2024 during Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Benin Republic, moved ahead of the former Green Eagles star with his 24th and 25th international goals.
Osimhen now sits just behind the late Rashidi Yekini, who holds Nigeria’s all-time scoring record with 37 goals.
Reacting to Osimhen surpassing his record, Odegbami expressed his happiness and praised the Napoli striker’s achievement.
“Osimhen has finally overtaken me, and I think that is good because the record has been hanging on for a very long time.”
“I am very happy for him, and I want to say good luck to him,” Odegbami said in a recent interview.
“He is still young, and he has a long way to go.”
Odegbami, who played for Nigeria between 1976 and 1981, scored 23 goals in 47 appearances and was a key figure in the Super Eagles’ 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad.
Osimhen, currently in top form for Galatasaray, where he has netted 20 goals and provided four assists in 20 Super Lig games this season, opened the scoring against Rwanda by volleying in an Ademola Lookman free kick.
He later doubled Nigeria’s lead just before halftime with a clinical finish, sealing the team’s first win of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Following the match, Osimhen was exited about breaking the record and remained focused on the team’s objectives.
“I am very happy for the goals. Now the focus is on Zimbabwe so we keep going,” he said.
With 12 goals now separating him from Yekini’s long-standing record, Victor Osimhen is on course to cement his place as Nigeria’s greatest goal scorer.
Meanwhile, his performance against Rwanda has reignited Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after a difficult start to their campaign.
