The African Cup of Nations, also known as AFCON, is the biennial international men’s football championship of Africa. The tournament is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and features teams from all over the continent. The tournament has been held since 1957, and over the years, several players have made their mark on the competition by scoring the most goals.
One of the most prestigious records in the history of the African Cup of Nations is the record for the most goals scored by a player in the tournament. This record is held by Samuel Eto’o, the former Cameroonian striker, who scored a total of 18 goals in the competition. Eto’o is widely regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time, and his record is a testament to his skill and ability on the pitch.
Over the years, several other players have come close to breaking Eto’o’s record, but none have been able to surpass it. Some of the notable players who have come close include Hossam Hassan of Egypt, who scored 14 goals, and Didier Drogba of Ivory Coast, who scored 11 goals. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top scorer and record holder for most goals in the African Cup of Nations and examine their achievements in greater detail.
History of the African Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the most prestigious football tournament on the African continent. It was first held in 1957 and has been held every two years since 1968. The tournament is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and is open to all African national teams.
The inaugural tournament was held in Sudan and featured just three teams: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Egypt emerged as the first-ever champions of the AFCON, defeating Ethiopia 4-0 in the final. Since then, the tournament has grown in size and popularity, with more and more teams participating each year.
Over the years, the AFCON has produced some of the most iconic moments in African football history. From Roger Milla’s famous corner flag dance in 1990 to Egypt’s record-breaking three consecutive titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010, the tournament has seen its fair share of drama and excitement.
One of the most impressive records in the history of the AFCON is the record for most goals scored by a single player in the tournament. The current record holder is Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon, who scored 18 goals over the course of his AFCON career. Another notable record is the record for most titles won by a single team, which is held by Egypt with seven titles.
Overall, the AFCON has played a significant role in the development of football in Africa, providing a platform for talented players to showcase their skills on the international stage. With the tournament set to continue in the years to come, it is sure to produce many more memorable moments and record-breaking performances.
Top Scorers Overview
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has a rich history of top scorers, with some of Africa’s greatest footballers making their mark on the competition. In this section, we will take a look at the all-time top scorers and the single-tournament top scorers in AFCON history.
All-Time Top Scorers
The all-time top scorer in the AFCON is Samuel Eto’o, the former Cameroon international, who scored 18 goals in 29 games. Eto’o is widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest-ever footballers, and his record in the AFCON is a testament to his talent.
In second place is Laurent Pokou of Ivory Coast, who scored 14 goals in just two tournaments. Pokou’s goalscoring exploits in the 1970s helped Ivory Coast reach the final of the AFCON twice, although they were unable to lift the trophy.
Other notable names on the all-time top scorers list include Didier Drogba, who scored 11 goals in 10 games for Ivory Coast, and Hossam Hassan, who scored 10 goals in 18 games for Egypt.
Single Tournament Top Scorers
The record for the most goals scored in a single AFCON tournament is held jointly by two players: Rashidi Yekini of Nigeria and Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon. Both players scored 5 goals in the 1994 and 2008 tournaments, respectively.
Other players who have topped the scoring charts in a single AFCON tournament include Roger Milla of Cameroon, who scored 4 goals in the 1984 tournament, and Patrick Mboma of Cameroon, who also scored 4 goals in the 2000 tournament.
In conclusion, the AFCON has seen some of Africa’s greatest footballers make their mark on the competition, with Samuel Eto’o standing out as the all-time top scorer. The single tournament top scorer record is held jointly by Rashidi Yekini and Samuel Eto’o, both of whom scored 5 goals in a single tournament.
Record Holders
Individual Records
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) has seen some incredible individual performances over the years. One of the most coveted records in the competition is the record for the most goals scored by a player. The record is currently held by Samuel Eto’o, a Cameroonian footballer who scored 18 goals in 29 appearances in the competition. Eto’o is widely regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time, and his record in the AFCON is a testament to his skill and ability.
Another impressive individual record in the AFCON is the record for the most assists in the tournament. The record is held by Riyad Mahrez, an Algerian footballer who has provided 9 assists in the competition. Mahrez is known for his incredible dribbling skills and his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Team Records
The African Cup of Nations has also seen some impressive team performances over the years. One of the most notable team records in the competition is the record for the most titles won. Egypt is the most successful team in the history of the AFCON, having won the competition a record seven times. The team’s success is largely due to its ability to produce world-class players such as Mohamed Salah, who has been a key player for the team in recent years.
Another impressive team record in the AFCON is the record for the most goals scored in a single tournament. The record is held by Egypt, who scored 23 goals in the 2008 edition of the tournament. The team’s success in that tournament was largely due to the performances of their star striker, Mohamed Aboutrika, who scored 5 goals in the competition.
Recent Tournaments
2023 Top Scorers
The 2023 African Cup of Nations saw some impressive performances from the top goal scorers. The tournament was won by Egypt, who defeated Senegal 2-1 in the final. The top scorer of the tournament was Nigerian striker Ahmed Musa, who scored a total of 5 goals throughout the competition. Musa played a crucial role in Nigeria’s journey to the semi-finals, where they were eventually knocked out by Egypt.
In second place was Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, who scored 4 goals in the tournament. Salah was instrumental in Egypt’s success, scoring a crucial goal in the final to secure the trophy for his country. In third place was Senegalese striker Sadio Mane, who also scored 4 goals in the tournament. Mane played a vital role in Senegal’s journey to the final, where they were narrowly defeated by Egypt.
2021 Top Scorers
The 2021 African Cup of Nations was won by Algeria, who defeated Senegal 1-0 in the final. The top scorer of the tournament was Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo, who scored a total of 5 goals throughout the competition. Ighalo played a crucial role in Nigeria’s journey to the semi-finals, where they were eventually knocked out by Algeria.
In second place was Algerian forward Baghdad Bounedjah, who scored 4 goals in the tournament. Bounedjah was instrumental in Algeria’s success, scoring the only goal of the final to secure the trophy for his country. In third place was Senegalese striker Sadio Mane, who also scored 3 goals in the tournament. Mane played a vital role in Senegal’s journey to the final, where they were narrowly defeated by Algeria.
Overall, the African Cup of Nations has seen some impressive performances from top goal-scorers in recent years. The tournament provides a platform for some of the best players from the continent to showcase their skills and compete for their countries.
Impact on Players’ Careers
The Africa Cup of Nations has been a platform for some of the most talented footballers in Africa to showcase their skills and make a name for themselves. Winning the Golden Boot or being the top scorer at the tournament can have a significant impact on a player’s career.
For instance, Samuel Eto’o, who won the Golden Boot twice in 2006 and 2008, is considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time. He scored a total of 18 goals in the Africa Cup of Nations, making him the tournament’s all-time leading scorer. His performances in the tournament helped him secure moves to top European clubs like Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Similarly, Didier Drogba, who won the Golden Boot in 2006 and 2012, is another player who used the Africa Cup of Nations to boost his career. He scored a total of 11 goals in the tournament and went on to become one of the most successful African footballers of all time. He won four Premier League titles with Chelsea and was a key player in the Ivory Coast national team.
The impact of the Africa Cup of Nations on a player’s career is not limited to just the Golden Boot winners. Players who perform well in the tournament often attract the attention of scouts and managers from top European clubs. This was the case for Riyad Mahrez, who helped Algeria win the tournament in 2019 and was subsequently signed by Manchester City.
In conclusion, the Africa Cup of Nations has been a platform for African footballers to showcase their talent and make a name for themselves. Winning the Golden Boot or being the top scorer at the tournament can have a significant impact on a player’s career, and even those who do not win the award can attract the attention of top clubs.