“I just want to win games, score goals,” Osimhen downplays equalling Yekini’s all-time record

• Victor Osimhen praised late Rashidi Yekini as the greatest Super Eagles striker, downplaying his pursuit of the all-time scoring record
• Osimhen, with 23 goals, remains focused on winning games and helping the team, despite inching closer to Yekini’s 37-goal record
• Galatasaray forward Osimhen has another opportunity to increase his tally in Monday’s AFCON qualifier against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium

Victor Osimhen, one of Nigeria’s most prolific forwards, has described his respect and admiration for late Super Eagles legend Rashidi Yekini, hailing him as the greatest striker in Nigeria’s history. 

Despite his remarkable ascent toward potentially breaking Yekini’s record as Nigeria’s all-time top scorer, Osimhen emphasised that his primary focus remains on helping his team win games rather than chasing individual milestones.

Yekini, whose name is etched in Nigerian football history, netted 37 goals in 62 appearances for the Super Eagles. His legacy includes the distinction of scoring Nigeria's first-ever goal at the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and being a two-time top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1992 and 1994. The late striker remains a celebrated figure, revered as the finest forward Nigeria has ever produced so far.

Osimhen, currently on loan from Napoli at Galatasaray, has emerged as a worthy heir to Yekini's throne. With 23 goals for the national team, the 25-year-old is tied with Segun Odegbami as Nigeria’s second-highest all-time scorer. He added to his tally during Thursday’s AFCON 2025 qualifier against Benin, scoring a crucial goal in the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny on November 14.

Osimhen has recently paid homage to Yekini while remaining humble about his own record. In a video shared on social media, the striker urged Nigerians to continue celebrating Yekini’s incredible achievements.

“No, no. I really don’t care about this [record], I just want to do my job and try to win games, score goals, and provide a lot of assists for my team. Then if I equal it, I equal it; if I surpass it, I surpass it. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that Rashidi Yekini is the greatest striker the Super Eagles have ever had,” he said.

Osimhen expressed admiration for how Yekini’s record has stood the test of time, describing it as a prove of the late legend’s unparalleled talent, 

“This record stood for a very, very long time and still stands, so I think we should give him his flowers and celebrate him,” he added.

With one more opportunity to add to his goal tally in Monday’s AFCON qualifier against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on November 18. 

Mikel Obi discloses plan to lure Osimhen to Stamford Bridge

Previously, TheRadar reported that as the summer transfer window drew to a close, speculation surrounding Victor Osimhen's future continued to intensify. 

The Napoli striker, who has requested to leave the club, is heavily linked with a potential transfer to Chelsea. The deal could involve Romelu Lukaku moving in the opposite direction. In a concerted effort to bring the Nigerian star to Stamford Bridge, former Chelsea legends Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel have personally reached out to Osimhen.