Babangida Calls On Osimhen To Break Yekini’s Goalscoring Record

Nigeria great, Tijani Babangida has asked Victor Osimhen to up his game if he stands any chances of shattering the goalscoring record set by Nigeria legend, Rashidi Yekini.

Yekini is the record goalscorer for the Super Eagles, notching 37 goals in 58 appearances for the Nigerian senior team. The second-placed striker on the all-time goalscoring list is Segun Odegbami with 23 goals while third-placed Yakubu Aiyegbeni isn’t so afar off with 21 goals.

Yekini scored his last goal for Nigeria in 1994 against Bulgaria during a Fifa World Cup game at Dallas’ Cotton Bowl Stadium.

Babangida is full of hope that Lille star, Osimhen who has already scored four goals for the Super Eagles can equal the 26-year-old record set by Yekini should he continue to improve.

“Rashidi has done so much for the country and that is why his goal record stands till date, but this is a challenge for younger players like Osimhen,” he told Goal.

“Everything is possible because this is sports where records are always broken, so why can’t Osimhen break Rashidi’s record? It is possible.

“However, he must do more to ensure this is achieved. Normally, Yekini’s record is something that should motivate Nigerian strikers to put in more effort and aim at.”

Osimhen made immediate impact in the Ligue 1 with Lille following his move from Sporting Charleroi as Nicolas Pepe’s replacement.

Still in his debut season in the French top-flight, Osimhen has scored 18 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions and posting six assists.

Although Babangida is impressed by his form, he asked the 21-year-old not to rest on his oars.

“I watched him in the Champions League when he played against my club, Ajax even though they lost, and I must say that he is not doing badly,” Babangida continued.

“I also follow him in the French league and it’s not surprising that the big clubs are coming for him.

“He should never be satisfied with what he has. He should always try to play at Messi and Ronaldo’s levels which is difficult but realistic.