Nigeria’s rich history at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been defined by goals and creative play, and a new ranking highlights the nation’s most prolific contributors in terms of goals and assists in the competition. The list, compiled by Complete Sports, blends historic legends with modern stars who have shaped the Super Eagles’ legacy on Africa’s biggest stage.
Topping the contributions table is Rashidi Yekini, Nigeria’s all-time AFCON goal leader, with 13 goals and 2 assists across multiple editions, cementing his place in continental folklore. Close behind are modern talents like Ademola Lookman with 11 goal contributions (6 goals, 5 assists) and Victor Osimhen, who has 10 (5 goals, 5 assists) to his name, making the current generation one of the most impactful.
Other Nigerian greats featured include Jay-Jay Okocha, known for his flair and seven goals, and John Obi Mikel, whose playmaking ability yielded seven combined goal contributions. Icons such as Segun Odegbami, Julius Aghahowa, Peter Odemwingie, Odion Ighalo and others also make the list, illustrating the depth of attacking talent Nigeria has produced at AFCON over the decades.
By blending goals with assists, this ranking offers a broader picture of influence — capturing not only finishers but creators who helped Nigeria craft memorable moments at Africa’s oldest continental competition.
EDITORIAL
For any nation seeking identity on football’s grandest continental stage, numbers tell a story both of heritage and of evolution. Nigeria’s Super Eagles, with a tapestry woven from decades of AFCON brilliance, have long celebrated goals as symbols of national pride. Yet the nuanced combination of goals and assists contributions that reflect both the end product and the creative genesis reveals a richer, more textured narrative of influence.
At the apex stands Rashidi Yekini, a figure whose name resonates far beyond statistics. In the tournaments of the early 1990s, his instinctive finishing and physical presence gave Nigeria a cutting edge that propelled the nation to its second AFCON title his 13 goals speak not just of quantity, but of moments that shifted footballing consciousness in West Africa.
In contrasting eras, the modern cohort embodied by Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen demonstrates the evolving demands on attacking players. Lookman’s blend of goals and creativity, combined with Osimhen’s dual role as scorer and creator, reflects football’s contemporary ethos positional fluidity, collective contribution and the measured balance between flair and function.
Legends like Jay-Jay Okocha and John Obi Mikel add further texture to this story. Their impact was never confined to the scoreboard it was felt in moments of inspiration, in assists that changed momentum and in leadership that galvanised teams. This integrated view of goals coupled with the artistry of chance creation enriches how we remember Nigeria’s continental journeys.
In celebrating these contributions, we honour not only the achievements of individuals but the collective spirit that made Nigeria one of Africa’s most compelling footballing identities.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Rashidi Yekini scored 13 goals in AFCON tournaments, making him Nigeria’s top all-time goalscorer in the competition.
- Ademola Lookman has combined 6 goals and 5 assists at AFCON, placing him among Nigeria’s most influential all-round attackers.
- Victor Osimhen’s goal-assists balance (5+5) highlights his dual role as Nigeria’s scorer and creator.
- William Troost-Ekong a defender — appears on the contributions list with five goal contributions, making him one of Nigeria’s most scoring defenders at AFCON.
- Jay-Jay Okocha recorded seven goals in AFCON history, adding to his legacy as one of the most electrifying Nigerian playmakers.
