Jean-Pierre Nsamé: Cameroon striker poised to rewrite Swiss Super League history
Jean-Pierre Nsamé stands on the brink of history, with one goal separating him from becoming the outright all-time top scorer in the Swiss Super League.
The Cameroonian forward’s two-goal performance against FC Zurich on Sunday saw him equal Marco Streller’s record of 111 goals—an achievement that cements his place among Swiss football’s greatest marksmen.
The 31-year-old’s rise to this milestone is a testament to his consistency and clinical finishing. Known for his physical presence (standing at 1.88m and weighing 91kg) and ability to dominate opposing defences, Nsamé has been a key figure in the league for nearly a decade.
His most prolific years came with Young Boys, where he won six Swiss league titles and claimed the top scorer accolade three times (2020, 2021, 2023).
He also set the record for most goals in a single Super League season with 32 in 2019/20.
Currently on loan at St Gallen from Italian club Como, Nsamé’s move was initially intended to provide him with more playing time. However, he has swiftly demonstrated that he remains one of the league’s most lethal strikers.
His record-equalling brace against Zurich has now set the stage for him to surpass Streller as early as next weekend, when St Gallen face Yverdon—an opponent he has previously scored against while playing for Young Boys.
“A source of pride”
Speaking to Blue Sport after the match, Nsamé expressed his pride at reaching this landmark moment in his career.
"Yes, it's a source of pride to equal this record. I can proudly say that I sit at the table of Marco Streller, who was a great goal scorer in Swiss football."
While Streller retired in 2015 with the record intact, Nsamé now has the opportunity to surpass him and cement his place at the pinnacle of the Swiss Super League’s history.
The former Basel striker’s record has stood for nearly a decade, but the Cameroonian’s hunger for goals suggests it may not last much longer.
A record within reach
With 15 games remaining in the season, Nsamé has ample opportunities to claim the record outright.
His next chance will come on Sunday against Yverdon, a team he previously found the net against while playing for Young Boys.
Given his track record and Saint-Gall’s attacking intent, few would bet against him making history sooner rather than later.
Despite being level with Streller in the Super League era, Nsamé still trails Peter Risi in the all-time Swiss football goal-scoring charts.
Risi scored 197 goals between 1970 and 1984, before the Swiss Super League was officially established in 2003. However, Nsamé’s focus for now remains on securing his place at the top of the modern era’s goal-scoring records.
As he edges closer to sole ownership of the record, Nsamé’s success could serve as inspiration for other African players seeking to make a mark in European football.
His journey—from Young Boys to Italy and back to Switzerland—has been defined by resilience, adaptability, and an insatiable hunger for goals.