The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament has been given the highest regard in the continent. Thus, scoring at such a stage has to be nothing short of an honour.
Since the inception of the tournament in 1957, there have been several names who have left their mark as GOAL takes a look at the 10 all-time top goalscorers at the AFCON.
*Correct ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Didier Drogba | Ivory Coast | 11 goals
The infamous former Chelsea forward ended up as runner-up up in both the 2006 and 2012 editions of the tournament where he scored thrice each.
Hossam Hassan | Egypt | 11 goals
Apart from 11 goals as the tournament, Hassan won gold with Egypt in the 1986, 1998 and 2006 editions. Particularly, in the 1998 AFCON Cup, Hassan was joint top scorer with seven goals. It was then that he scored a hat-trick against Zambia and a brace in the semi-finals against hosts Burkina Faso.
Patrick Mboma | Cameroon | 11 goals
After winning a gold medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics football final against Spain, he emerged as joint top scorer at both the 2022 and 2004 Africa Cup of Nations. Not to forget, Mboma helped Cameroon to the AFCON title in 2000 and 2002.
Hassan El-Shazly | Egypt | 12 goals
The 1963 Africa Cup of Nations saw El-Shazly amass six goals. In addition, the Egypt international scored another six goals at the prestigious tournament.
Rashidi Yekini | Nigeria | 13 goals
Nigeria's Rashidi Yekini was the leading goalscorer in both the 1992 and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, winning the tournament in 1994.
Laurent Pokou | Ivory Coast | 14 goals
A two-time Golden Boot winner in 1968 and 1970, with a combined 14 goals from eight appearances in the back-to-back editions of the AFCON, including a five-goal haul in a game against Ethiopia.
Samuel Eto'o | Cameroon | 18 goals
By far the most prolific but not until the 2008 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, Samuel Eto'o won the tournament in 2000 and 2002. He was joint top scorer in 2006 and clinched the Golden Boot in 2008.
