Victor Osimhen will surpass Rashidi Yekini's goal record - Super Eagles legend

One of the finest midfielders the Super Eagles of Nigeria have had believes Rashidi Yekini’s goal record will be eclipsed soon by Victor Osimhen.

Etim Esin who played for the national team between 1988 and 1992 is of the opinion that if Napoli striker Victor Osimhen stays fit, nothing will stop him from equaling and surpassing the record set by Rashidi Yekini. 

While many may feel this comparison is too soon, others will definitely be optimistic that Victor Osimhen might one day reach the heights that Rashidi Yekini attained for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Victor Osimhen vs Rashidi Yekini

Rashidi Yekini, regarded as one of the greatest Super Eagles players of all time scored Nigeria’s first goal at a World Cup in 1994. He notched 37 goals in 58 appearances, a record that still stands 25 years after the former Julius Berger striker retired in 1998.

Victor Osimhen, on the other hand, had a remarkable outing with Napoli last season, scoring 31 times in 39 appearances, helping Napoli to a first Scudetto title in 33 years. 

Meanwhile, the Napoli hitman has not featured at the FIFA World Cup - his goal in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with Ghana was ruled out for offside as the Super Eagles failed to qualify for Qatar 2022.

Osimhen, however, was back amongst the goals, netting a brace, as Nigeria won 2-3 away at Sierra Leone to book a place at AFCON 2023.

Also, the former Lille man is the highest goalscorer in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, bagging 10 goals, five more than his nearest rival.

In the pecking order, Victor Osimhen (20 goals) is soon catching up with the likes of Segun Odegbami (23 goals) and Yakubu Ayegbeni (21 goals).

However, considering that Victor Osimhen racked up his 20 goals in just 27 matches - without enjoying the services of a gifted creative midfielder like his predecessors, you would believe that he can truly surpass Yekini’s record.

Etim Esin told Complesports that Victor Osimhen who has already broken George Weah and Samuel Eto’o’s Serie A record, has age on his side and that if he manages to stay fit, he can smash Rashidi Yekini’s record.

“If he stays fit I think he can overhaul Yekini’s record. Besides, age is on his side and with the fact that he has already broken George Weah and Samuel Eto’o’s record in Serie A, I believe he can as well with the Super Eagles.

“Again, you have to consider the fact that players that surrounded Yekini then such as Amuneke, Finidi George, Okocha, Oliseh and others are talented players and they made Yekini’s goal scoring so easy.

“But for Osimhen, you will observe that when he comes to Nigeria he always struggle to score goals sometimes due to the caliber of players he’s surrounded with.

“But then if he can get that creative players that can deliver passes for him, I am confident he will beat Yekini’s record. Like you know, Osimhen’s is very good in the air, strong and can use both legs to score goals.”   

Who is Etim Esin?

Before many Nigerians knew about Austin Jay Jay Okocha, there was even a better creative midfielder in the Super Eagles set-up - his name Etim John Esin.

Etim Esin was so good they nicknamed him the 'African Maradona.' However his glittering career was blighted by indiscipline even before it started.

Nigeria had a fine set of young players back in 1986-1987. The Flying Eagles (U20) were African champions and were on their way to showcase their dominance on the world stage.

The star of that crop of players was Etim Esim. His teammates would always look to pass the ball to the Oron-born midfield maestro.

At the 1987 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, the Flying Eagles were drawn in a very tough group comprising Canada, Italy, and Brazil.

However, a few days to the tournament, the team was training in Lagos, and a curfew was impossed but it was alleged that Etim Esin broke protocol and left camp to enjoy the Lagos nightlife.

Unfortunately for him, he was shot by robbers, who pelted bullets on his thighs. Medical attention was quickly provided for him, and he was partially fit to make the team to Chile.

This incident and a few others negatively affected the mood of the players and they fumbled at the tournament.

Nigeria suffered a 2-0 defeat to Italy, drew 2-2 with Canada, before the team was humbled and annihilated 4-0 by Brazil.

Youthful Exuberance and Indiscipline killed my career - Etim Esin

A destiny made for the stars like Etim Esin's couldn’t fulfil potential because of a carefree attitude to life and now looks back with regret.

Etim Esin told the press in 2020 during the third year memorial of Stephen Keshi that he wished he had listened to the former Super Eagles Captain called the Big Boss.

“The late Keshi was very patriotic, disciplined, focused on his game and always giving advice. However, we didn’t get along because of my indiscipline, which he didn’t like.

“He left Nigeria for Belgium in 1986 and I joined him in 1987 and he was always advising me. Had I had followed his advice; maybe my career could have taken a different turn. He was a pathfinder and was behind the exodus of so many African footballers to the Belgian league.”   

Now 56-year-old, Etim Esin during an interview on ChannelsSports explained how indiscipline and a lack of proper education were the bane of his career that nosedived even before sunset. 

He stated that he was accused of rape while plying his trade in Belgium, and that unfortunate incident drew the curtains on his career abruptly.

It took about 25 years before Etim Esin was finally cleared of rape but the damage had already been done and his footballing career never recovered.