Nigeria has long been a factory of dazzling attacking talents, producing superstar forwards whose brilliance has helped to define generations.
From the clinical finishing of Rashidi Yekini and the flair-filled magic of Jay-Jay Okocha, to the modern firepower of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles have consistently boasted some of Africa’s most feared forward players.
Having powered the nation to three Africa Cup of Nations titles across different eras, some of these goalscorers have played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s success on the continent, and with the latest edition of the tournament fast approaching, it is only fitting that we take a look back at the country’s top AFCON scorers in history:
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8. William Troost-Ekong – Five Goals (16 Appearances)
Troost-Ekong has now featured in three AFCON tournaments for Nigeria, scoring one goal in each the 2019 an 2021 tournaments before netting three goals in six appearances as the Super Eagles finished as runners-up in the 2023 edition.
7. Muda Lawal – Five Goals (22 Appearances)
Lawal was one of the Super Eagles standout performers in Ethiopia 1976, scoring twice as Nigeria went on to record a third-placed finish.
The midfielder maestro featured in five AFCON editions in total, picking up another three goals alongside a bronze, silver and gold medal in the subsequent tournaments.
6. Odion Ighalo – Five Goals (Seven Appearances)
Ighalo appeared at only one AFCON tournament for the Super Eagles, and the striker certainly demonstrated his clinical goalscoring ability, scoring five goals in just seven appearances to claim the Golden Boot, although Nigeria settled for just a bronze medal.
5. Peter Odemwingie – Five Goals (16 Appearances)
Odemwingie first appeared at AFCON 2004 in Tunisia, managing to score three goals as Nigeria secured a third-placed finish, and he returned in Angola 2010 to score another two goals to help the Super Eagles to another bronze medal.
4. Julius Aghahowa – Six Goals (15 Appearances)
Aghahowa was just a teenager when he made his AFCON debut in Ghana/Nigeria 2000, stealing the show with three goals, including a stunning late brace to secure a dramatic quarter-final victory over Senegal.
The forward returned at Mali 2002 with another three goals as Nigeria placed third, going on to share the Golden Boot award with Patrick Mboma and Salomon Olembe.
3. Segun Odegbami – Six Goals (10 Appearances)
A sensational winger for Nigeria, Odegbami arguably saved his best performances for the AFCON stage, including playing a crucial role in leading the Super Eagles to lifting their first-ever AFCON title in 1980.
The winger scored three goals at Ghana 1978 to help Nigeria secure a bronze medal, while his three goals in 1980 helped the Super Eagles lift the AFCON trophy on home soil.
2. Jay-Jay Okocha – Seven Goals (22 Appearances)
Okocha may have been part of the Nigeria title-winning side at Tunisia 1994, but the attacking midfielder had to wait until Ghana/Nigeria 2000 to open his AFCON account.
The flamboyant forward netted twice to help Nigeria progress into the final, and despite scoring a stunning goal against Cameroon, the Super Eagles narrowly missed out on another trophy as they lost 4-3 on penalties.
Okocha saved his best for Tunisia 2004, though, scoring four goals to share the Golden Boot award, while also picking up the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
1. Rashidi Yekini – 13 Goals (24 Appearances)
It should come as no surprise that Nigeria’s greatest goalscorer of all time also stands atop the nation’s scoring charts on the AFCON stage.
Thirteen of Yekini’s 37 international goals were scored across four AFCON tournaments – netting one at Morocco 1988, three at Algeria 1990, four at Senegal 1992 and brilliantly netting five at Tunisia 1994 to fire Nigeria to their second AFCON title.
