Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick against Benin not only fired Nigeria into the CAF World Cup play-offs, but also moved him to within touching distance of Rashidi Yekini’s legendary goalscoring record for the Super Eagles.
With 29 goals in just 44 appearances, Osimhen is now only eight behind Yekini’s total of 37 – and for former Nigeria striker Victor Ikpeba, there is no doubt that the Galatasaray forward will surpass it.
“He’s such a key player for the national team. Nigerians are very happy about his commitment, his fighting spirit, his goals return too,” Ikpeba told Bet9ja after the 4-0 win. “We missed him sometimes when he was injured. He wasn’t involved in the two fixtures when we dropped points against Benin Republic and South Africa, and he got injured against Rwanda recently. Those are key games where he could have done the damage.”
Victor Osimhen, you are a LEGEND ?pic.twitter.com/Gdrs729k0a
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Ikpeba believes Nigeria’s qualification path might have been much simpler had Osimhen been available throughout the campaign.
“If Osimhen had been fit and participated in some of these games, I think we could have qualified automatically,” he said. “We cannot forget his attributes to the national team – what a player, what a committed player, what that young guy brings to the pitch whenever he’s playing for Nigeria. He knows what it takes to wear the green and white, and I think he should be an inspiration to other young footballers.”
On Osimhen’s pursuit of Yekini’s record, Ikpeba was emphatic in his prediction.
“He’ll break it. He is going to do that for sure,” he said. “Yekini was my own era. We didn’t have many games during my time, and if you look at Osimhen’s return in this era, it’s astonishing.”
The former Monaco forward pointed out that the modern football calendar gives players more opportunities to play and score.
“In those days, not every African country even competed regularly for World Cup qualifiers. Now with FIFA expanding tournaments and more fixtures being played, players in this era simply have more games,” he explained. “We have these play-offs to come, plus other competitions. So it’s getting closer, and if he does it, I think Nigerians will not be surprised.”
Eric Chelle has made his stance clear on Victor Osimhen ??? pic.twitter.com/VXZ4viTzqW
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While Ikpeba was full of admiration for Osimhen, he also paid tribute to Yekini, who remains a national icon and one of Africa’s greatest-ever forwards.
“If you have to compare those two players, Yekini was something fantastic,” Ikpeba said. “I played with him, so you judge those players in a different era. But Osimhen will always remain one of the best strikers Nigeria has ever produced – and one of the best in the world for sure.”
As Nigeria prepare for November’s CAF World Cup play-offs in Morocco, Osimhen’s form and leadership could yet define the Super Eagles’ journey to the 2026 World Cup.
