Some of Africa’s best generational talents have fired themselves into the AFCON 2023 top scorer contention.
While certain star players are among the chasing pack for the AFCON Golden Boot, other lesser-known players have stunned opponents with goals throughout the tournament.
As the 2023 AFCON enters its quarter-finals stage, we analyse some of the leading candidates for the top scorner awards. Bettors can wager on this AFCON market and others after claiming BetKing's free bet offer.
Gelson Dala
Angola have been one of the AFCON underdogs who have surpassed expectations. The nation will compete in its first quarter-finals since 2010 following
Key to Angola’s success in the AFCON campaign has been striker Gelson Dala, who has struck four goals in as many appearances. Dala also showed his quality in the 3-0 round of 16 victory over Namibia.
In addition, Dala has scored nearly half of all of Angola’s AFCON goals. With an upcoming quarter-final fixture against Nigeria, Angola will be relying on their Starman to produce one again.
Lassine Sinayoko
Mali midfielder Lassine Sinayoko has been a standout performer in his side’s impressive AFCON showing so far. The Eagles have kept things tight and remain unbeaten in the tournament.
But Sinayoko’s contributions in the attacking third have been vital to Mali’s success. The midfielder has scored three goals in four matches, accounting for nearly a third of the Eagles goals in the competition.
In the final 16 win over Burkina Faso, the 24-year-old scored a crucial second goal just after half time to set Mali on their way to the AFCON quarter finals.
Victor Osimhen
Nigeria have been solid in their AFCON 2023 campaign but have not yet reached their attacking best. As a result, star striker Victor Osimhen has had few chances and notched just one tournament goal on matchday one against Equatorial Guinea.
Yet Osimhen still has the quality to notch enough AFCON goals to be considered a top-scorer favourite. The Napoli forward has 21 international goals in just 32 appearances and could find some scoring from in the AFCON’s latter stages.
Ademola Lookman
After being rested for Nigeria’s final group game against Guinea-Bissau, midfielder Ademola Lookman was recalled for the Super Eagles' 2-0 win against Cameroon.
Lookman repaid his manager José Peseiro with two decisive goals to fire Nigeria into the quarter-finals.
The Atalanta man now has five goals in his last eight for club and country. If the midfielder can build momentum in the upcoming final eight match against Angola, he could be considered as a Golden Boot contender.
Emilio Nsue
Although Equatorial Guinea crashed out in the round of 16 against Guinea, Emilio Nsue is still the leading scorer in the 2024 AFCON.
Nuse provided his nation with some memorable moments before their eventual elimination. Most notable, an AFCON hat-trick against Guinea-Bissau and two goals in Equatorial Guinea’s stunning 4-0 win over Ivory Coast.
Even though he will not play another match at the 2023 AFCON, Nsue’s goals make him one of the favourites to seal the AFCON top scorer award.