Rashidi Yekini is more than just Nigeria’s all-time leading goalscorer, he is a legend who helped define an era of Nigerian football.
Who can easily forget Yekini’s iconic celebration at the 1994 FIFA World Cup? Yekini’s legacy lies in the moments he created and the pride he brought to Nigeria.
Based on data from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and verified records, Yekini ranks 20th on the list of Africa’s all-time international goal scorers.
He scored 37 goals in 62 appearances for the Super Eagles, a record that still stands as the highest by any Nigerian footballer, although everyone hopes Napoli-owned forward Victor Osimhen will eclipse the record or surpass it.
At the top of the all-time list is Zambia’s Godfrey Chitalu, who scored 79 goals in 111 appearances. Malawi’s Kinnah Phiri comes next with 71 goals, followed by Egypt’s Hossam Hassan with 68.
The top ten also features big names like Didier Drogba, Mohamed Salah, Samuel Eto’o, Asamoah Gyan, Abdoulaye Traoré, Islam Slimani, and Sadio Mané.
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Although Yekini does not appear in the top ten by total goals, his efficiency stands out. His goals-per-game ratio of 0.60 places him among the most clinical strikers in African international football history.
Yekini’s legacy goes far beyond his position on a list. He played a vital role in Nigeria’s golden generation, especially during their victorious 1994 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
Across all his AFCON appearances, he scored 13 goals, which makes him the third-highest scorer in the tournament’s history, only behind Samuel Eto’o (18) and Laurent Pokou (14).
One of his most memorable contributions came during the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, where he scored Nigeria’s first-ever goal in the tournament.
Yekini’s 20th-place ranking may seem modest, but his importance cannot be overstated. He delivered when it mattered most, and his contributions continue to resonate decades after he last wore the green and white.