Osimhen Prioritizes Team Success Over Chasing Yekini’s Scoring Milestone

The weight of history and the shadow of a legend often loom large over the shoulders of any striker wearing the Nigerian green and white, yet Victor Osimhen appears to be carrying the burden with remarkable grace. Following a dominant 3-1 victory over the Cranes of Uganda in the AFCON group stage on Tuesday, the Galatasaray forward found himself once again answering questions about his pursuit of the late Rashidi Yekini’s all-time scoring record. Despite the mounting anticipation from fans and statisticians alike, Osimhen remained steadfast in his “team-first” philosophy.

Wearing the captain’s armband for the clash, the 27-year-old spearheaded a Nigerian attack that looked sharp and purposeful. The victory not only secured vital points for the Super Eagles but also brought Osimhen within touching distance of immortality. With 32 international goals currently to his name, the former Napoli talisman is now just five strikes away from equaling Yekini’s legendary tally of 37. Yet, in the aftermath of the win, Osimhen was quick to deflect individual praise in favor of collective achievement.

Speaking to reporters during his post-match interview, the striker admitted that leading the team as captain provided him with a profound sense of belonging and responsibility. He emphasized that his primary objective on the pitch is not to rewrite the record books, but to ensure the Super Eagles function as a cohesive unit. For Osimhen, the goals and assists he provides are merely tools to secure victory, rather than milestones to be checked off a personal list.

The legacy of Rashidi Yekini is sacred in Nigerian football, and Osimhen spoke of it with visible reverence. He acknowledged the magnitude of the 37-goal record but was pragmatic about the timeline for surpassing it. While he expressed a quiet confidence that he would eventually reach the summit, he insisted that there is no immediate rush. He hinted that the milestone might not even fall during the current AFCON tournament or the immediate qualifiers, opting instead to let the achievement come naturally.

This patient approach marks a significant evolution in the striker’s mentality. Known for his explosive energy and high-intensity playing style, Osimhen has often been seen as a player who hunts goals with a singular focus. However, his comments on Tuesday suggest a leader who is more concerned with the tactical requirements of the game and the morale of his teammates. He reiterated that as long as the team is winning, his personal tally is secondary.

The race to catch Yekini has been a major talking point in Nigerian sports media for the better part of a year. Every time Osimhen finds the back of the net, the countdown narrows, and the comparisons to the “Goalsfather” intensify. Yekini’s record has stood for decades, representing a golden era of Nigerian football that many fans hope Osimhen can help recreate. By moving within five goals of the mark, Osimhen has already surpassed other icons of the game, cementing his status as the premier African striker of his generation.

Despite his modesty, the statistics suggest that the record is inevitably his to claim. Averaging a goal nearly every time he takes to the pitch for the national team, Osimhen’s trajectory is steeper than almost any of his predecessors. His move to Galatasaray has seen him maintain his clinical edge, and his performance against Uganda showed no signs of the pressure getting to him. He remained a constant threat, stretching the Ugandan defense and creating space for his fellow attackers, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon.

The “one day” that Osimhen referred to seems much closer than his humble comments would suggest. Given his age and current form, many pundits believe he will not only surpass Yekini but could potentially set a record that may never be broken. For now, however, the striker is content to let the goals flow as a byproduct of hard work and team synergy. His focus remains firmly on the path toward continental glory in this AFCON campaign.

As the Super Eagles prepare for their next challenge, the narrative will undoubtedly continue to revolve around this historic chase. But if Tuesday’s performance and subsequent interview are any indication, the man at the center of it all is the least distracted person in the room. Osimhen’s maturity as a captain and a sportsman shines through his refusal to put personal glory ahead of the national interest, a trait that has endeared him even further to the Nigerian faithful.

The journey to 37 goals is now a matter of “when” rather than “if.” Yet, by choosing to honor Yekini’s memory through humility rather than competition, Osimhen is proving that he is a worthy successor to the legendary striker’s throne. He exits the Ugandan tie with the points in the bag, the armband respected, and his eyes fixed firmly on the trophy, leaving the record-keeping to the historians for at least a little while longer.