The roar of the vuvuzelas is back! The 34th Africa Cup of Nations, also known as 2023 AFCON, kicks off on January 13th, 2024, bringing the heat of African football to the vibrant shores of Ivory Coast.
After a year of qualification battles and anticipation, 24 national teams battle for continental glory across six cities, with familiar giants like Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt and Algeria aiming to dethrone defending champions Cameroon.
Witness rising stars clash with seasoned veterans, electrifying goals, and passionate celebrations under the Ivorian sun, as the continent crowns its ultimate football champion.
As the countdown continues, The Herald brings to you the top 10 goal scorers in the competition’s history.
- Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon): 18 goals
The legendary Cameroonian striker reigns supreme as the AFCON’s all-time leading scorer. He achieved this feat across seven tournaments, with his most prolific performance being five goals in the 2008 edition.
- Laurent Pokou (Ivory Coast): 14 goals
Pokou, a prolific Ivorian forward of the 1960s and 1970s, netted 14 goals in four AFCON appearances. He holds the record for most goals scored in a single game (five) during the 1968 tournament.
- Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria): 13 goals
The enigmatic Nigerian striker, Yekini, found the net 13 times in five AFCON tournaments. He won the Golden Boot (top scorer award) twice, in 1992 and 1994.
- Hussein Chakir (Egypt): 12 goals
Chakir, a skilled Egyptian forward of the 1950s and 1960s, contributed 12 goals to his nation’s AFCON success. He was instrumental in Egypt’s three championship victories during his playing career.
- Hossam Hassan (Egypt): 12 goals
Another Egyptian legend, Hossam Hassan, amassed 12 goals across five AFCON tournaments. He is known for his versatility and leadership qualities on the field.
- Théophile Abega (Cameroon): 12 goals
Abega, a Cameroonian midfielder of the 1970s and 1980s, was a creative force who scored 12 goals in six AFCON appearances. He played a key role in Cameroon’s championship wins in 1972 and 1988.
- Pierre Ndaye Mulamba (Zaire): 11 goals
Mulamba etched his name in AFCON history with his record-breaking performance in the 1974 tournament. He netted an incredible nine goals for Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) throughout the competition, and added two more in the 1972 edition to bring his total to 11.
- Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia): 11 goals
Bwalya, a Zambian legend and one of the continent’s greatest midfielders, scored 11 goals in six AFCON appearances. He led Zambia to their historic championship victory in 1988 and remains a revered figure in African football.
- François M’Pelé (Cameroon): 10 goals
M’Pelé, a Cameroonian striker of the 1960s and 1970s, netted 10 goals in four AFCON tournaments. He was known for his pace and finishing ability, contributing to Cameroon’s early successes in the competition.
- Sadio Mané (Senegal): 10 goals
Mané, who plays for the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Senegal national team, has reached 10 goals in five AFCON appearances. He is still active and poised to potentially climb higher in the rankings in future tournaments.
These are just some of the many talented African footballers who have left their mark on the AFCON with their goalscoring prowess. The tournament’s rich history continues to produce new heroes and iconic performances, making it a true spectacle of African football.
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