With a rich history in football, the Nigerian National Football Team has had its fair share of talented goalscorers. Some names on this list may surprise you, while others are well-known for their impressive goal-scoring records. Let’s look at Nigeria’s top six goalscorers of all time without further ado.
Rashidi Yekini
Rashidi Yekini is the all-time leading goalscorer for the Nigerian national football team, with 37 goals. He is the only player to have scored more than 30 goals for the Super Eagles. Yekini was part of the Nigerian national team from 1984 to 1998.
He helped Nigeria win the 1994 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), scoring five goals in the tournament, including the opener in the final against Zambia. You can get amazing odds under sports betting Zambia on Betway during the next AFCON games.
Rashidi was named African Footballer of the Year in 1993 and was inducted into the Nigerian Sports Hall of Fame.
Segun Odegbami
Segun Odegbami is a former Nigerian football player known for his time with the Nigerian national team. He is the second-highest goalscorer of all time. Segun played 46 times in the national team, scoring 23 goals.
He started his career with the local club Shooting Stars and spent his entire professional career with them. With Shooting Stars, he won the 1976 African Cup Winners’ Cup. Odegbami was a key player for Nigeria during a golden period for the national team. He played an instrumental role in Nigeria’s victory in the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations. He retired from football in 1984.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni
Yakubu Aiyegbeni began his professional career with Plateau United in 2000. He later moved to England, where he signed for Portsmouth in 2003. Yakubu went on to play for several other English clubs, including Everton, Leicester City, and Blackburn Rovers.
At the international level, Yakubu represented Nigeria on 57 occasions, scoring 21 goals. He was part of the Nigerian squad that competed at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Ikechukwu Uche
Ikechukwu Uche is a Nigerian football player who has had a successful career in Spain. He has played for several top teams, including Villarreal, Real Zaragoza, and Malaga.
He represented his country, Nigeria, on 46 occasions, scoring 19 goals. Uche has been particularly successful in qualifying competitions for the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup. He has scored seven goals in the AFCON Qualifiers and five in the WC Qualifiers.
Obafemi Martins
When Obafemi Martins joined Newcastle United in 2006 after his exit from Inter Milan, he became an instant sensation. He retired in 2021.
He scored 18 goals for his country and played 48 matches. He was a vital member of the team that reached the Round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
Sunday Oyarekhua
Oyarekhua was a prolific goalscorer during his playing days. He scored 17 goals in 28 appearances, including two at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1976.
He was most famous for scoring the winning goal against Brazil in a friendly match in 1974, a game which is often referred to as “the Match of the Century ”. Oyarekhua passed away in 2021.
Conclusion
The Nigeria National Football Team has a long and storied history, with many talented players gracing the pitch over the years. You can also bet on your favorite Nigerian players on Betway when playing local or international matches.
