AFCON: Nigeria’s top scoring players over the years

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

The Nigerian national team since time immemorial has been blessed with talents on all fronts.

From goalkeepers in Vincent Enyeama and Peter Rufai to defenders in Joseph Yobo, Taiye Taiwo amongst others in the defensive half of the pitch.

The attacking half has seen many creative players, explosive forwards and in general the offensive contingent that has defined the national team over the years.

Many of which have represented the Super Eagles at the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). News Round the Clock takes a look at the ones who have found the back of the net most frequently for the Nigerian national team.

Rashidi Yekini – 13 goals

Born on the same day as Brazilian legend Pele, Yekini deservingly sits in top spot as the country’s all time top scorer with his 37 goals scored over a career of lengthy service.

In Nigeria’s Tunisia 1994 triumph, Yekini ended as tournament scorer with 5 goals having taken the same golden boot award three years prior at Senegal with four goals. 

The rest of his AFCON goals came over the 1988 and 1990 editions in North Africa where he scored once and thrice respectively.

Overall, 13 of the former Vitoria Setubal marksman’s international goals came at the AFCON.

Augustine Azuka Okocha – 7 goals

Fondly known as Jay-Jay Okocha, the former Bolton Wanderers skipper had a successful 1994 on individual basis.

Winning the African best player award, the AFCON most valuable player and golden boot with 4 goals.

ALSO READ: Jay-Jay Okocha: he’s so good they named him twice- the uncrowned king of Africa

A tie with Patrick Mboma, Francileudo Santos and Frederick Kanoute.

In his earlier appearance in 2000, he scored thrice with 2 against Tunisia and the last against Cameroon in 2000 at the Lagos National stadium.

Segun Odegbami – 6 goals

Former Ibadan Housing Corporation and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan forward Segun Odegbami scored 23 goals for Nigeria in 46 appearances.

His first ever AFCON appearance came in the 1978 edition at Ghana marking it with 3 goals.

Two years later, he racked up another three to share the golden boot award.

His brace in the final either side of Muda Lawal’s goal in front of the Nigerian faithful at the Lagos National stadium secured the country’s first ever AFCON title.

More superstars below…

Julius Aghahowa – 6 goals

Aghahowa’s fairytale began with Bendel Insurance in Nigeria before securing a move to Esperance in Tunis where it all set sail.

Earning his first AFCON call up in the 2000 edition, the teenager racked up 3 goals even at the expense of a stacked Nigerian forward line.

Two years later at Mali ‘02 and now with Shakthar Donetsk, Aghahowa added the other half of his AFCON goals whilst sharing the golden boot with two others.

Famously remembered for his theatrics and goal celebrations, he did six consecutive backflips celebrating against Sweden at the 2002 FIFA world cup.

Muda Lawal – 5 goals

Lawal became the first African player to feature at five successive Africa Cup of nations. Racking up 5 goals along the way.

The most remarkable coming in the 3-0 routing of Algeria in front of home fans in 1980. Having previously scored in the tournament and an earlier brace in 1976, his last AFCON goal was at the 1984 edition.

Also formerly of Shooting Stars, Mudashiru Lawal’s years of indelible service to the national team saw a stadium named after him in Abeokuta, Ogun State. 

ALSO READ: Ten African legends who have never won the AFCON title

Peter Osaze Odemwingie – 5 goals

Odemwingie, who was born in Uzbekistan when it was part of the Soviet Union, had the option to play for Russia – but instead chose to play for the Nigerian national team.

Osaze made his Super Eagles debut in May 2002 and opened his AFCON chapter with a late quick fire double versus South Africa in as many minutes in AFCON 2004. Adding one more against Mali in the 3rd place match. 

As Super Eagles skipper in Angola 2010, he added a further two goals and missed out on the 2013 winning squad.

He returned to the national team in the 2014 World cup having settled his squabble with Stephen Keshi and scored in the second game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Odion Jude Ighalo – 5 goals 

Experienced with time at Watford and Manchester United England, Ighalo won the AFCON golden boot on the first time of asking in the 2019 edition scoring 5 times in 6 appearances.

Returning from international retirement and hoping for a chance to extend his tally at Cameroon 2021, he unfortunately missed out as club side Al-Shabab blocked him from going to the event.