Top 10 All-time Goal Scorers at AFCON

The Africa Cup of Nations, also called AFCON, is the biggest football tournament in Africa. Every edition brings passion, pressure, and great goals. Scoring at AFCON is never easy. Matches are physical, defenses are strong, and expectations are high.

In this article, you will learn about the 10 highest goal scorers at AFCON. These players scored goals across different tournaments and became legends of African football.

Top All-time Goal Scorers at AFCON

Before going into details, here is a quick look at the top goal scorers in AFCON history.

Rank	Player	Country	AFCON Goals
1	Samuel Eto’o	Cameroon	18
2	Laurent Pokou	Ivory Coast	14
3	Rashidi Yekini	Nigeria	13
4	Hassan El-Shazly	Egypt	12
5	Didier Drogba	Ivory Coast	11
6	Patrick Mboma	Cameroon	11
7	Mohamed Salah	Egypt	10
8	Kalusha Bwalya	Zambia	10
9	Hossam Hassan	Egypt	7
10	Segun Odegbami	Nigeria	7

1. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) 18 Goals

Samuel Eto’o is the top scorer in the history of the African Cup of Nations. His total of 18 goals for Cameroon came from various tournaments. The super star was very quick and strong, and that’s why he was such a great finisher.

There was always a possibility that he would score in the big games. The player helped Cameroon to the AFCON titles but frequently was the one carrying the team through the hard times. The African player of the year awards were at the very least Eto’o’s AFCON record is proof that he is one of the best players to come from Africa.

2. Laurent Pokou (Ivory Coast) 14 Goals

Laurent Pokou was the ‘Goal Machine’ for the Ivory Coast. 14 goals he scored at AFCON, some of them in a very short period of time.

Pokou is mostly remembered for scoring five goals in one match during the tournament; the feat was undoubtedly his greatest moment. Despite having played in an earlier era, his record was standing for many years. When talking about the top pure AFCON scorers, Pokou is always mentioned.

3. Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria) 13 Goals

Rashidi Yekini was one of the best strikers that Nigeria had ever produced.  He netted 13 times at AFCON and was a crucial factor behind Nigeria winning.

Yekini was a very powerful player in the penalty area and extremely cool when it came to putting the ball in the back of the net. You might also recognize him from the iconic goal celebration he did during the 1994 World Cup. At AFCON, he is still a legend.

4. Hassan El-Shazly (Egypt) 12 Goals

Hassan El-Shazly is one of the most significant football players of Egypt. He netted 12 goals in the African Cup and made Egypt the king of African football during his era.

El-Shazly had superb movements and could score even in a very close match. His goals earned Egypt’s reputation as one of the strongest teams in the AFCON tournaments.

5. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) 11 Goals

Didier Drogba was the player for the big occasions. He scored 11 goals at AFCON and took Ivory Coast through a string of tough tournaments.

Drogba had the strength, the ability to head the ball, and the leadership. Even when he was not putting the ball in the net, he was creating room for other players to shoot. His goals in the AFCON were under heavy pressure, and that is what makes them even more incredible.

6. Patrick Mboma (Cameroon) 11 Goals

Patrick Mboma was another great goal scorer from Cameroon. He was an 11-goal scorer at AFCON and he did a great job next to Eto’o.

Mboma had raw power, fine technique, and great self-confidence. His scoring helped Cameroon to not only win trophies but also to be a strong rival in the continuance of tournaments.

7. Mohamed Salah (Egypt) 10 Goals

Mohamed Salah is one of the most renowned African players in the world today. He has netted 10 goals in AFCON tournaments and has been a crucial player in Egypt’s journey through the finals several times.

Salah plays the game very fast and uses skill to make the defenders helpless. His current AFCON goal tally speaks of his historical significance in the tournament already but he is still playing.

8. Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia) 10 Goals

Kalusha Bwalya is a legend in Zambian football. He scored 10 goals at AFCON and helped Zambia compete against stronger teams.

Bwalya was known for his vision and long-range shots. His performances inspired future generations of Zambian players.

9. Hossam Hassan (Egypt) 7 Goals

Hossam Hassan may not have the highest goal total, but his impact at AFCON was huge. He scored 7 goals and won multiple AFCON titles with Egypt.

He was also a leader and captain. His influence went beyond goals, but his scoring still places him among the top 10.

10. Segun Odegbami (Nigeria) 7 Goals

Segun Odegbami was a key part of Nigeria’s golden era. He scored 7 goals at AFCON and helped Nigeria win important matches.

Odegbami played with speed and intelligence. His AFCON goals helped Nigeria become one of Africa’s strongest football nations.

AFCON is not an easy tournament. Conditions are tough, and matches are intense. When you score many goals at AFCON, you prove your quality at the highest level in Africa.

These goal scorers represent different eras, countries, and playing styles. Their records help you understand the history of African football.

Final Thoughts

The 10 highest goal scorers at AFCON earned their place through consistency, strength, and big-match performances. From Samuel Eto’o’s record-breaking goals to legends like Drogba and Salah, each player left a lasting mark.

If you love African football, knowing these names helps you appreciate how special AFCON truly is. These goals are more than numbers. They are moments that shaped African football history.

                                               

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