Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen said his focus is on helping Nigeria win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), not chasing the national team’s all-time goal record.
Osimhen opened the scoring in Nigeria’s 2-0 quarter-final victory over Algeria in Marrakesh on Saturday, netting his 35th goal in 51 appearances before providing the assist for Akor Adams’ second as the Super Eagles marched into the semi-finals, where they will face host nation Morocco.
The 27-year-old striker is now just two goals away from equalling the long-standing Nigerian record of 37 goals held by the late Rashidi Yekini, a key member of the Super Eagles side that won AFCON in 1994 and featured at two FIFA World Cups.
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Asked whether breaking the record was on his mind, Osimhen was emphatic.
“Not at all,” he said. “I have said countless times that it doesn’t matter if I equal or surpass the record.
“Rashidi Yekini is the best striker the Super Eagles have ever produced, and for me, I just try to do my best for the team. It is amazing to be part of history for the Super Eagles, so I just want to win something for my country.”
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The former Napoli striker, who has now scored nine goals in his last eight international appearances, including the closing stages of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying campaign, underlined that collective success outweighs individual milestones.
“I have so much confidence in the way I play with the help of my teammates, but for me, it is not about the goals or assists. It is just about winning something with this squad,” Osimhen said. “We are on the right path, but it is not going to be easy.”
Nigeria have been in formidable form at AFCON 2025, winning all five of their matches so far and scoring 14 goals, a response that has impressed after a second consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.
They could have won by a wider margin against Algeria after creating numerous chances in the first half, before Osimhen broke the deadlock shortly after the restart.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle praised his team’s growing identity. “I had a way of playing in mind when I took the job, and I think we have an identity in this team now, both with the ball and without,” Chelle said.
“We could have been 2-0 up at halftime. We were a bit more clinical in the second half, and the final ball was better. I am happy, and the players are enjoying themselves. We just need to keep this positive dynamic going.”
Nigeria will face Morocco in the semi-finals next Wednesday in Rabat.
