The Africa Cup of Nations, commonly referred to by its abbreviated form “AFCON”, is the main biennial international men’s association football competition organised in Africa. Officially by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the first season of the AFCON was held in 1957. Since its inception in 1957, the AFCON tournament has witnessed numerous legendary football players who have left an indelible mark with their extraordinary and unbelievable goal scores.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In this article we will take a look at the top four highest goal scorers of the AFCON, who have left an everlasting impact on African football.
Top 4 All-Time Goal Scorers in the AFCON History
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Samuel Eto’o – 18 Goals
Often hailed as one of the greatest strikers of his generation, the former Cameroonian football player, Samuel Eto’o, is at the first spot in our list of the top four highest goal scorers of the AFCON tournament, with a total of eighteen goals. The current president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, successfully led the Cameroon side to a phenomenal victory in the AFCON 2000 season by scoring in the final against Nigeria.
Additionally, Samuel Eto’o helped Cameroon defend their title in the AFCON 2002 season, defeating Senegal in the final on penalties. Samuel Eto’o scored a total of eighteen goals across six editions of the AFCON and surpassed Laurent Poku.
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Laurent Pokou – 14 Goals
The late Ivorian professional football player, Laurent Pokou, who played as a striker for French club Stade Rennais F.C. and the Ivory Coast national team, is at the second spot in our list of the top four highest goal scorers of the AFCON tournament. Often regarded as Africa’s greatest striker of all-time, Laurent Pokou undoubtedly left a lasting legacy in the Africa Cup of Nations with a record total of fourteen goals.
Additionally, Lauren Pokou scored a total of five goals against Ethiopia in the Africa Cup of Nations 1970 edition, which still stands as an unbreakable record. Furthermore, Laurent Pokou’s breathtaking performances led the Ivory Coast squad to third place in the Africa Cup of Nations editions of 1968 and 1970, which also earned him the nickname of “The Man of Asmara”.
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Rashidi Yekini – 13 Goals
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four highest goal scorers of the AFCON tournament, we have the late Nigerian professional football player, Rashidi Yekini, who played as a forward throughout his football career that lasted from 1981 to 1998. Rashidi Yekini represented Nigeria in international football from 1984 to 1988 and scored a total of 37 goals. Furthermore, Rashidi Yekini was also named the “African Footballer of the Year” in 1993 for all his noteworthy contributions.
Rashidi Yekini also left an everlasting legacy in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament and proved to be a crucial player in Nigeria’s AFCON victory in the 1994 season, scoring the opening goal in the final against Zambia, leading Nigeria to secure a phenomenal 2-1 victory. In his entire Africa Cup of Nations career, Rashidi Yekini scored thirteen goals and became the third-highest goal scorer in the history of Africa Cup of Nations and was also honoured with the coveted Golden Boot award in AFCON 1992.
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Hassan El-Shazly – 12 Goals
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four highest goal scorers of the AFCON, we have Hassan Ahmed El-Shazly with a total of twelve goals. Often popularly hailed as a devastating shooter and one of the best forwards in the history of Egyptian football, Hassan El-Shazly clinched the Golden Boot award with a total of six goals at the AFCON 1963 edition.
Well, although decades have passed, Hassan’s spine-chilling record of six goals in a single Africa Cup of Nations tournament still remains unbeaten, speaking volumes about his dominance in the game. Although, unfortunately, Hassan El-Shazly never clinched any Africa Cup of Nations edition, his spectacular achievements still reverberate in the annals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
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