With the next Africa Cup of Nations fast approaching let us whet your appetite by looking at the AFCON Top Scorers. The tournament was to be hosted in June-July this year, but that is the height of the rainy season in host nation Ivory Coast. It will now be held in January and February for the second time in a row, after last year’s tournament in Cameroon.
AFCON top scorers table 2023
|
AFCON top scorers |
Goals | Position |
| Vincent Aboubakar | 8 | Forward |
| Karl Toko Ekambi | 5 | Forward |
| Sadio Mané | 3 | Forward |
| Gabadinho Mhango | 3 | Forward |
| Ibrahima Koné | 3 | Forward |
| Sofiane Boufal | 3 | Midfield |
| Musa Barrow | 2 | Forward |
| Wahbi Khazri | 2 | Midfield |
| Nicolas Pépé | 2 | Forward |
| Mohamed Salah |
2 | Forward |
AFCON top scorers in the history
Let us start with the most recent highest goal scorer in AFCON. Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar took the Golden Boot by firing in eight goals at the 2021 tournament.
The 31-year-old from Garoua scored in all three group games with two goals in both the wins against Burkina Faso and Ethiopia before scoring his fifth of the tournament in the draw with Cape Verde. After hitting the back of the net in the Round of 16 Aboubakar failed to add to his tally with his nation eliminated on penalties by Egypt at the semi-final stage.
The Indomitable Lions skipper signed off in style by scoring twice more in the third-place match. His final tally was the most goals scored by an AFCON competitor since 1974 and one off the all-time single tournament record.
That honour is held by Pierre Ndaye Mulamba who hit nine goals for Zaire in the tournament of 1974. Told by his coaches to make the most of the fact the he was unknown, he certainly followed their instructions.
Not only being AFCON top scorer that year, but also named the best player in the competition as he helped the then-Zaire become African champions for only the second time in their history.
As an extra reward, the AFCON top scorer and his teammates were rewarded with a house each, as well as a Volkswagen Passat by Zaire president Mobutu Sese Seko.
Here are some other notable AFCON top scorers. Hassan El-Shazly is the only player to have scored more than one hat-trick in the tournament.
The man described as a “devastating shooter” and “lethal with both feet” scored three of Egypt’s goals in their 6-3 defeat of Nigeria in 1963. Then scoring all three goals as his nation claimed third place in a 3-1 victory over Ivory Coast in 1970.
Laurent Pokou was AFCON top scorer in 1968 and 1970. But no player has ever topped his record of five goals in one game. A feat he achieved as Ivory Coast thumped Ethiopia 6-1.
Alongside Pokou, five other players have been AFCON top scorer on more than one occasion. Segun Odegbami of Nigeria in 1978 and 1980. Cameroon’s Roger Milla in 1986 and 1988. Rashidi Yekini of Nigeria won the Golden Boot in 1992 and 1994.
Cameroon dominated the top scorer table over a six year period at the start of the millennium with Patrick M’Boma winning back to back Golden Boots in 2002 and 2004 before Samuel Eto’o repeated the trick in 2006 and 2008..
AFCON top scorers predictions
Taking a look across the betting sites as to who will become next AFCON top scorer there is a clear favourite, Victor Osimhen.
The Napoli hitman had a stunning domestic campaign as he fired his side to their first Serie A title in 33 years by scoring 26 times. Eclipsing AFCON top scorers all time, Samuel Eto’o’s record for the most goals in a single season by an African in the Italian top flight.
It was a season which saw the man from Lagos also overtake George Weah’s record and become the highest scoring African player in Serie A history. The 24-year-old finished as the top goalscorer in qualification for AFCON 2023 with seven goals for Nigeria claiming his first international hat-trick along the way.
The Super Eagles striker will be determined to make an impact in Ivory Coast after missing the previous tournament in Cameroon. In November 2021 he suffered horrific orbital and cheekbone injuries following a clash of heads during a game against Inter MIlan. An injury which required three hours of surgery to repair and kept him out of action for 54 days.
After scoring with both of his only two chances in the opening round of Serie A fixtures this season it is clear the Nigerian will be a force to be reckoned with once again. The good news for Super Eagles fans is that manager Rudi Garcia saw the need to manage the player’s workload.
Competition will of course be fierce with the likes of Sadio Mané and Patson Daka expected to challenge for the Golden Boot AFCON. But if Osimhen stays fit he is certainly the one to beat.
FAQ: AFCON Top Scorers
Who is the highest goal scorer in the AFCON history?
Samuel Eto’o 18 goals from 29 matches played.
Who is the highest scoring midfielder in the AFCON history?
Seydou Keita with 8 goals
What is the most goals scored by one team in an AFCON game?
6 – Egypt 1963, Ivory Coast 1970
Who was the first-ever player to score in the AFCON?
Raafat Attia of Egypt
Who is the oldest scorer in AFCON history?
Hossam Hassan (Egypt), 39 years, 174 days
Who is the youngest goalscorer in AFCON history?
Shiva N’Zigou (Gabon) 16 years and 93 days
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