As we draw closer to the start of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), we know if there’s one thing that can win us games is goals. Lilitha Bodlani gives his take on the race to get the Golden Boot Award in this year’s African tournament.
The 2024 African Cup of Nations Ivory Coast promises to be an exciting tournament for the African continent. The tournament kicks off this weekend and it promises to be one of those tournaments that will give you goals.
Honestly, it will be very interesting to see players like your Sadio Mane, Vincent Aboubakar, Nicolas Jackson and other fantastic goal threats that will be gunning to score for their respective countries.
Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar took the Golden Boot by firing in eight goals at the 2021 tournament. So, the big question would be who will be the next one to top the list?
Here are the contenders whom I think will be up there in terms of goals:
Sadio Mane
Large number of title contenders looking to dethrone Sadio Mané’s Senegal when the latest edition of the Africa Cup of Nations starts Saturday.
The 31-year-old Mané has since joined Saudi Arabian team Al Nassr and as made a fine start to the season for the Saudi club. The former Liverpool frontman will be hoping his goals do not only make sure that his team win’s the tournament, but he claims the top goal scorer hi self.
Victor Osimhen
The Nigeria forward was in Morocco a couple of months ago to collect the prize at the Confederation of African Football awards. He just won a Serie A medal with his Italian club Napoli and is regarded as one of the most prolific strikers in the game right now.
Nigeria will be looking to him to spark goals on their front and it’s no doubt that they will have a player who is on form and can punish teams in the biggest stage.
Mohammed Kudus
The man who has lightened up the English Premier League for West Ham as he has been on a scoring form of note. The Ghana superstar left Ajax to join West Ham in a deal worth a reported $48 million in the summer.
He has since then been scoring left, right and centre and is believed to be pivotal for Ghana in the hopes that they reach the final. Plus, if you think this man can’t do it on the big stage then his stats from last season should prove otherwise.
Kudus scored 19 goals and had seven assists in all competitions for Ajax last season, including goals against Liverpool and Napoli in the Champions League.
Notable mentions:
Vincent Aboubakar
Karl Toko Ekambi
Sofiane Boufal
Mohamed Salah
Nicolas Jackson
Written by: Lilitha Bodlane