Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has described his pursuit of Rashidi Yekini’s all-time Nigeria goalscoring record as a moment he will cherish forever, as the team prepares for its AFCON semifinal clash against host nation Morocco. 

The Galatasaray forward, who scored against Algeria, is now just two goals away from equalling Yekini’s long-standing record for the national team.

Speaking with CBS Golazo, Osimhen admitted he was initially unaware of the record but grew motivated as the statistics became clearer.  

"I really don't know about who is holding the record as at that time," he said. "When the stats start coming out and I have got really close friends who are trying to motivate me and I know that I have the ability to do it with the kind of amount of talent that I have around me in the national team."

He said being mentioned alongside Nigerian greats such as Yekini is a huge honour, adding that representing the Super Eagles remains a lifelong dream and priviledge

"At the same time, it is amazing to be up there with the greats. To know that what I am doing now, I have dreamt about it as a young child watching the Super Eagles play," Osimhen noted. 

"Although I didn't watch Mr. Rashidi Yekini, in blessed memory, I didn't watch him play but he's done something that have inspired a lot of people that have inspired me."

"Also like Odion Ighalo in which I draw a lot inspiration from, as well as Obafemi Martins. For me to be up there and on the verge of trying to break this record is something I will never forget in my life. It is something I will hold in high esteem. It is a honour to be talked in almost the same conversation with the great Rashidi Yekini."

The former Napoli striker said it is a huge privilege to represent Nigeria, given the country’s vast population and abundance of footballing talent.

"To be honest, it is always a great pleasure to put on Super Eagles shirt or represent the country."

"I think personally for me, it's a great privilege and for the rest of the boys. Because among 200 million people or 150 players in Nigeria, you're picked to represent your country, it is a big honour." 

The 27-year-old revealed that the Super Eagles are determined to win the AFCON trophy as consolation for failing to qualify for the World Cup. 

"We all know what it means to try and make a statement here considering the fact that we didn't make it to the world cup," he added. 

He also dismissed any pressure ahead of the semifinal, noting the squad’s wealth of experience and belief.

"Personally, I have come a long way in my career, I never felt any pressure. At least, for few years now, the only pressure I have now, is to continue to improve as a player and as a man," he said.  

"Also for the squad, you check the squad, we have almost 70 or 80 percent experience players that have played football at the highest level."

The Super Eagles have been in blistering form at the AFCON, winning all five of their matches and scoring 14 goals to emerge as the only side with a perfect record at the tournament.

Osimhen credited head coach Eric Chelle for the team’s impressive run, praising his tactical intelligence and ability to bring out the best in the players.

"I think the whole squad is calm, we're just doing our job, doing what the coach order us to do and how he wants us to play," he said. 

"He deserve the praise as well as the squad. To be honest, we have been playing amazingly well. We have been doing so well that, when we look at the video, for each action the coach shows us, we have to clap for ourselves."

"We know we have the squad and we have the talent to play. Now, we have got someone that knows how to put the talent in places.

"I am really pleased with the squad. I am really happy about the mentality of the whole squad.

"It's not just the leaders of the team, everyone have to take responsibilities and to be honest everyone is doing that and I am really happy about that."

Despite acknowledging Morocco’s home advantage, Osimhen insisted the team is calm and focused, stressing that the Super Eagles are ready to give everything in their bid to reach the final.

"They have a very good squad and talented players. I think we are one of the most feared team in this tournament considering the type of talent we have in the squad."

"But I think there is no pressure within the camp. We don't even talk about it within ourselves.

"Just one game as it comes. We just played a very big nation, Algeria and this place something where the whole world see that this guys are really up for this trophy.

"Just like I use to say it is not going to be easy. Of course, the Moroccans are playing in front of the thousands of their crowd, which is an advantage for them.

"But I think many of us have played in stadiums where there are 80, 90 capacities, so for me personally, there is absolutely no pressure.

"I don't think about it. I just focus on my team and when the game comes, I just give everything. We hope for the win for us, it is not going to be easy but we have got a chance," he said. 

Nigeria will take on Morocco in the semifinals of the biennial tournament on Wednesday night in Rabat, with a place in the final at stake.

Adeyemi Adewale