Big tournament moments have a way of sneaking up on you, and Monday night in Morocco was one of those for Victor Osimhen.
While most fans were still soaking in Nigeria’s dominant display, the Super Eagles striker had quietly edged even closer to one of the most iconic records in Nigerian football history.
Osimhen Shines as Nigeria Cruise Past Mozambique
Nigeria’s round-of-16 clash against Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations turned into a one-sided affair.
The Super Eagles ran out convincing 4–0 winners at the Fez Stadium, stamping their authority early and never letting up.
Victor Osimhen led the charge with two well-taken goals, while Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams also found the back of the net.
For Adams, it was a particularly special moment, as he opened his AFCON goal account in style.
Two Goals, One Big Milestone
Osimhen struck first in the 25th minute, reacting quickly to tap home from an Akor Adams assist.
Just after the break, he repeated the trick, this time finishing off a neat delivery from Lookman in the 47th minute.
Those goals pushed his tally for Nigeria to 34, leaving him just three shy of Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing national record of 37 goals.
His night ended in the 63rd minute after a brief on-field disagreement with Lookman led to his substitution, but the damage had already been done.
A Golden Appearance for the Super Eagles
Beyond the goals, the match also marked a personal landmark for the Galatasaray forward.
The Mozambique encounter was Osimhen’s 50th appearance in Nigeria’s colours, a reminder of how central he has become to the national team in a relatively short time.
Yekini, who set the benchmark back in 1998, scored his 37 goals across 62 matches.
Osimhen’s current ratio suggests it may only be a matter of time before that record comes under serious threat.
A Scoring Run That Refuses to Cool Off
Since March 2025, Osimhen has been in devastating form for Nigeria.
Over his last 10 international outings, the 27-year-old has scored nine times, a run that has rapidly reshaped the country’s all-time scoring chart.
Earlier this year, he overtook Segun Odegbami’s total of 23 goals to move into second place on Nigeria’s scoring list.
From there, the gap between him and Yekini has continued to shrink with every appearance.
Records Can Wait, Trophies Come First
Despite the growing buzz around his chase for history, Osimhen insists his priorities lie elsewhere.
Speaking to Ademola Victor TV in Morocco, the striker played down the record talk and stressed his focus on team success.
He explained that personal milestones are not what drive him, adding that his main concern is contributing through goals, assists, and hard work for the team.
While he believes the record will eventually fall, he made it clear that lifting the AFCON trophy matters far more to him right now.
The AFCON Golden Boot Race Heats Up
Osimhen’s brace has taken his tally to three goals at the ongoing AFCON, placing him joint second in the race for the tournament’s top scorer.
He currently sits just behind Morocco’s Brahim Diaz.
Several familiar names are also on three goals, including Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi, and Mali’s Lassine Sinayoko, setting up an intriguing battle as the competition progresses.
Eyes on the Quarter-Finals
With Mozambique dispatched, Nigeria’s attention now shifts to the quarter-finals.
The Super Eagles will face the winner of the Algeria versus DR Congo encounter on Saturday.
As the tournament tightens and the stakes rise, Osimhen’s form — and his quiet march toward history — could prove crucial in Nigeria’s push for a fourth AFCON title.
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