Victor Osimhen has had a remarkable year in 2023, helping Napoli to its first league title in 33 years, and also claiming the Serie A top-scorer Award
Victor Osimhen has surpassed former Super Eagles strikers Obafemi Martins and Ikechukwu Uche on Nigeria’s goalscoring chart after netting a hat trick against Sao Tome and Principe in their final 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo on Sunday to take his tally to 20 goals for Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 24-year-old’s incredible year started with helping Napoli claim a first league title in 33 years with his 26 goals, which gave him the feat as the first African to win the Serie A topscorer award.
His impressive outing also saw him surpass former Liberia striker George Weah as the African with the highest number of goals in the Italian League top-flight history.
Osimhen was recently recognized among the 30 nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or with the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Halaand, and Harry Kane, among others.
The former Lille striker has also brought his form to the national side, registering 7 goals in 5 games to help Nigeria secure a place at the next AFCON to be hosted in Ivory Coast.
However, the 24-year-old has equaled former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins’s 18 goals for Nigeria after opening the scoring in the country’s AFCON tie against Sao Tome and Principe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Sunday.
Osimhen opened the scoring in the 13th minute to equal Martins’ 18 goals, before netting an additional two in the second half to overtake Uche’s 19 goals.
Osimhen is Nigeria’s joint-fourth leading scorer of all time, equals Ikechukwu Uche’s mark. ⚽️⚽️
African Player of the Year loading❤️ pic.twitter.com/nSDjvx1Eyc
— Shina Oludare 🇳🇬 (@sportingshina) September 10, 2023
The Napoli striker has now moved from his previous 6th position to 4th among the country’s top 10 all-time goalscorers, moving closer to Yakubu Aiyegbeni on 21 goals.
Rashidi Yekini holds the record as Nigeria’s highest goalscorer in history with 37 goals, 14 more than Segun Odegbami with 23.
Super Eagles all-time highest goalscorers
1. Rashidi Yekini (37 goals)
2. Segun Odegbami (23goals)
3. Yakubu Aiyegbeni (21 goals)
4. Victor Osimhen (20 goals)
5. Ikechukwu Uche (19 goals)
6. Obafemi Martins (18 goals)
7. Sunday Oyarekhua (17 goals)
8. Samson Siasia (16 goals)
9. Odion Ighalo (16 goals)
10. Ahmed Musa (16 goals)
