Former international Victor Ikpeba is the most prolific Nigerian to ever play in the French topflight, but another Super Eagles star has that milestone within reach.
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is five goals away from equalling the 16-goal record created by the former Monaco star after he netted the winner in Lille’s come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Strasbourg on Saturday.
Ikpeba scored 16 goals in a remarkable 1997/98 season to confirm his moniker as the ‘Prince of Monaco’, but Osimhen could rewrite the history books by the end of this campaign.
The 20-year-old scored his 11th league goal of an impressive debut season to come yet again to the rescue of Les Dogues. Three consecutive defeats had seen Lille crash out of the Coupe de la Ligue and the Coupe de France, but the latest win gets Christophe Galtier’s side back on track in Ligue 1.
The day started bleakly for Lille when Adrien Thomasson gave their hosts a 12th-minute lead, but Gabriel equalized for the visitors just past the hour-mark.
The Lille No. 7 then gave his team all three points ten minutes from time when he stepped up and converted from the spot after Luiz Araujo was fouled in the area.
The away victory lifts Lille to fourth on the table, six points away from the last European qualifying spot.
With 16 more rounds of matches left to play in Ligue 1 this term, Osimhen will have more opportunities to become the most prolific Nigerian ever in the French top flight at the first attempt.
