Rashidi Yekini is Nigeria's highest goalscorer at the Africa Cup of Nations tournament with 13 goals.
Austin Okocha, Segun Odegbami, Odion Ighalo, Osaze Odemwingie, and Emmanuel Emenike are among the finest Nigerian goal-getters to have played at the AFCON.
Even legendary defenders like Christian Chukwu, Stephen Keshi, Ben Iroha, Taiye Taiwo, and Joseph Yobo each have at least one goal to their names at the continental championships.
However, some fantastic players never managed to hit the back of their net following their participation at the AFCON.
Nwankwo Kanu won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax, the Premier League with Arsenal, and the FA Cup with West Brom and Portsmouth.
The two-time Africa Player of the Year is credited as one of the most successful Nigerian footballers ever. However, he never won the AFCON, and most surprisingly, he did not score a goal despite playing 27 matches across six editions.
Former Juventus midfielder Sunday Oliseh won the AFCON at Tunisia '94. He also claimed a silver medal at Ghana/Nigeria 2000 and will forever be remembered for his stunning goal against Spain at the 1998 World Cup.
However, the former Borussia Dortmund ace has zero goals at the AFCON.
Daniel Amokachi will have a place always among Nigeria's greatest stars following his exploits at the 1994 AFCON, the 1994 World Cup, and the 1996 Olympic Games.
Interestingly, though, the former Everton star failed to register a single goal at the AFCON.
Ikechukwu Uche is one of Nigeria's most prolific strikers of all time, with 19 goals in 46 games for the Super Eagles.
Incredibly, none of the former Villarreal man's goals came at the AFCON.
Kunle Awesu was named to the AFCON Team of the Tournament in 1976 for his excellent displays, but he could not crown his efforts with a goal.
Stephen Makinwa and Victor Agali were once Nigeria's shining hopes to the AFCON, but they failed to fulfill their enormous promise at the tournament.
Wilson Oruma was as gifted as any of Nigeria's finest playmakers. Friday Elaho participated in two different editions while Taribo West is one of Nigeria's best defenders at the AFCON. None of them, however, have a goal record at the AFCON.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Joe Aribo have no goal yet at the AFCON. Still, the trio will get the chance to rewrite the record books when the championship kicks off on January 13.
Please check your facts. Kanu Nwankwo scored the winning goal against Cameroun at AFCON 2004 hosted by Tunisia. Scores was 1-1, Cameroon scored first by Samuel E’too, JJ Okocha equalised via a free kick until Kanu scored the winning goal via an assist by John Utaka.
I think it was the quarter finals. Nigeria went on to lose to Tunisia at the semi finals via penalties.
I just rechecked again on YouTube. it was the other way round. Assist by Kanu to John Utaka who scored the winning goal.
Apologies.
Kanu didn’t score in that match but rather gave John Utaka the decisive pass that led to the goal by John Utaka