Top 10 all-time Super Eagles goalscorers

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have long been defined by attacking flair and prolific strikers who delivered goals on the biggest stages.

From the golden era of the 1980s and 1990s to the modern generation lighting up Europe and Africa, these forwards have written their names into the nation’s football history.

As of January 15, 2026, following Nigeria’s dramatic AFCON 2025 semi-final exit on penalties to host nation Morocco, the all-time goalscoring chart is still led by the legendary Rashidi Yekini.

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However, current vice captain and talisman Victor Osimhen is rapidly closing the gap, standing just two goals away from the historic mark.

Here is a detailed look at the Top 10 All-Time Goalscorers for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, based on verified international records.

1. Rashidi Yekini – 37 goals (62 caps, 1984–1998)

Rashidi Yekini remains the benchmark for Nigerian strikers. Nicknamed “The Goals Father,” he powered Nigeria to AFCON glory in 1994, finishing as tournament top scorer and Player of the Tournament.

He also scored Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup goal at USA ’94, a moment immortalised by his emotional celebration.

Towering, powerful, and instinctive, Yekini’s record of 37 goals still stands as the ultimate target for every Super Eagles forward.

2. Victor Osimhen – 35 goals (46 caps, 2017–present)

The modern-day phenomenon. Osimhen has scored 35 goals in just 46 appearances, boasting an extraordinary goals-per-game ratio of 0.76.

Despite Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 heartbreak in Rabat, he was pivotal throughout the tournament, including a key goal in the quarter-final win over Algeria.

At just 27, Osimhen is poised to break Yekini’s record and potentially set a new standard that could stand for generations.

3. Segun Odegbami – 23 goals (46 caps, 1976–1982)

Fondly known as “Mathematical,” Odegbami was the face of Nigerian football in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

He captained the Super Eagles to their first AFCON title in 1980 and scored in the final. His intelligence, elegance, and leadership made him more than just a goalscorer.

4. Yakubu Aiyegbeni – 21 goals (57 caps, 2000–2012)

Yakubu was the dependable striker of the 2000s. Strong, composed, and clinical, he delivered crucial goals in qualifiers, AFCON tournaments, and World Cups. His consistency at the club level in England translated seamlessly to the national team.

5. Ikechukwu Uche – 19 goals (46 caps, 2007–2015)

A sharp poacher with excellent movement, Uche thrived during the late 2000s. Though injuries limited his longevity, his efficiency in front of goal made him one of Nigeria’s most reliable finishers of his era.

6. Obafemi Martins – 18 goals (48 caps, 2004–2015)

Nicknamed “Oba Goal,” Martins thrilled fans with blistering pace and spectacular strikes. While injuries curtailed his international peak, his impact and flair left a lasting impression on Super Eagles supporters.

7. Ahmed Musa – 16+ goals (2011–2025)

Nigeria’s most-capped player has also delivered important goals, particularly on the world stage.

His braces against Iceland at the 2018 World Cup remain iconic, underlining his knack for rising in big moments.

8. Odion Ighalo – 15 goals (2015–2022)

Ighalo enjoyed a prolific spell between 2015 and 2019, finishing as top scorer at AFCON 2019. His late-blooming international career still earned him a place among Nigeria’s most effective forwards.

9. Kelechi Iheanacho – 15 goals (2015–present)

Known for his composure and creativity, Iheanacho has delivered key goals in qualifiers and tournaments. Still active, he has the chance to climb higher on the list.

10. Others Worth Mentioning

Players like Sunday Oliseh, Julius Aghahowa, and Samson Siasia may not boast massive tallies, but their goals came in defining moments that shaped Nigeria’s football story.

From Yekini’s emotional heroics in 1994 to Osimhen’s relentless pursuit of history today, the Super Eagles’ goalscoring legacy is one of pride, passion, and pressure.

Osimhen’s chase of the record adds fresh drama to every Nigeria fixture, and with major tournaments still ahead, history could soon be rewritten.