Victor Ikpeba vs Victor Osimhen
Nigeria against Nigeria. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Victor Ikpeba
Nigeria · 1993–2000 · SS
- Almanac rating
- 86
- Rank in Nigeria
- #9 of 33
- Caps
- 31 · 7 goals
- Clubs
- R.F.C. de Liège, AS Monaco, Borussia Dortmund
Arsène Wenger signed him for Monaco in 1993, and in the 1996-97 title season he scored 16 in the league and 22 in all competitions alongside Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet. Ikpeba was African Footballer of the Year in 1997, won Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996 and the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, finished runner-up in 2000 after his shootout penalty came back off the bar in Lagos, and left Monaco with 77 goals in 223 games. Career record: 31 caps and 7 goals for Nigeria; club career at R.F.C. de Liège, AS Monaco, Borussia Dortmund.
Victor Osimhen
Nigeria · 2015–23 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 88
- Rank in Nigeria
- #6 of 33
- Caps
- 51 · 35 goals
- Clubs
- Lille OSC, SSC Napoli, Galatasaray S.K.
- Honours
- African Footballer of the Year
The protective mask dates from November 2021, when a collision at Inter fractured his cheekbone and eye socket, and he says it stays on for the rest of his career. Osimhen won Serie A with Napoli in 2023 and the capocannoniere with 26 goals, the most an African has scored in a season there, was African Footballer of the Year, has two Süper Lig titles with Galatasaray, and scored a record ten at the 2015 Under-17 World Cup. Career record: 51 caps and 35 goals for Nigeria; club career at Lille OSC, SSC Napoli, Galatasaray S.K.; honours include African Footballer of the Year.
The verdict
The almanac puts Victor Osimhen ahead by 2 rating points, 88 against 86.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.