Top Five Forwards Representing Their Countries in 2024 AFCON

The 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) just kicked off in Ivory Coast on Saturday, January 13 with the hosts beating Guinea-Bissau 2-0.

In anticipation of an exciting tournament, football enthusiasts are eager to continue witnessing the talents of some of the biggest names in world football.

The Kenya Times has identified five prolific goal-scorers who are expected to make a significant impact during the competition.

As the tournament unfolds, football fans around the world will be closely following these goal-scorers, expecting them to provide thrilling moments and contribute to the success of their respective teams.

Here are five strikers to watch out:

Mohamed Salah (Egypt) in AFCON 2023

The 31-year-old Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah, is a superstar in the English Premier League and a sporting icon across the Arab world.

He is known for his clinical finishing, dribbling and speed.

Salah made his international debut in 2011, just a year after Egypt secured their seventh and latest Cup of Nations title, setting the record for the most victories in the tournament’s history.

The superstar is the joint top scorer in the Premier League this season with 14 goals. He is also a football icon across the Arab world, and his impact will be crucial for Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Moreover, the hopes and dreams of a nation rest on one man’s shoulders. If Egypt are to add to their record seven continental titles, then Mohamed Salah will have to bear the brunt of the work for the Pharaohs.

Egypt have not won an AFCON title since 2010, and Salah aims to lead Egypt to glory after experiencing heartbreak in the 2017 and 2022 AFCON finals.

Salah’s Egypt starts their bid to win a record-extending eighth AFCON title later today in Abidjan when they take on Mozambique, another nation that has never won a match at the tournament.

Also Read: How DStv Made Last Minute Deal to Secure AFCON Rights

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) 

Victor Osimhen became the hottest property in world football last season when he finished as leading scorer in Serie A, helping Napoli to their first league title since 1990.

His Serie A leading tally of 21 goals has helped Napoli surge a title challenge and establish a 21-point lead at the top of the table.

Osimhen was denied a crack at the 2022 Qatar World Cup by Nigeria’s playoff defeat by Ghana.

The 25-year-old scored 26 goals in 32 Series A games last season but has struggled in comparison to this campaign, netting only eight times.

Victor Osimhen leads Nigeria into AFCON fresh from being named the African Player of the Year and aims to showcase the brilliance that contributed to Napoli’s Series A title.

Osimhen will be very close to securing the tournament’s leading scorer accolade if Nigeria are to lift their fourth crown and only their second in 30 years.

The tournament marks Osimhen first chance to shine on the international stage and holds a significant importance for him, especially considering his limited participation in the 2019 AFCON where Nigeria secured a third-place finish.

“I want to win the AFCON with my country and write my own legacy. All the greats in Nigeria have a title to their name and to be mentioned in that space I must win it too,” he told Al Jazeera recently, as the Super Eagles aim to win the continental title for the first time since 2013.

The super Eagles will begin their AFCON campaign in Ivory Coast against Equatorial Guinea today before also facing the hosts and outsiders Guinea Bissau in Group A.

Also Read: EPL Stars Set to Shine at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast

Sadio Mane (Senegal) AFCON Winner 2021

Sadio Mane is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr and the Senegal national team.

Mane is often considered one of the greatest African players of all time known for his pressing, dribbling and speed.

The hero of Senegal’s historic AFCON win in 2021, will be a key player for his country as they aim to retain their continental crown.  He remains the guiding light and leader of a Senegalese team whose ambition is to achieve the double.

Despite leaving Bayern Munich for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, the two-time African footballer of the year continues to be a prolific goal-scorer, averaging almost a goal every second game.

His loss to the Senegal team at the Qatar 2022 World Cup cannot be overstated. As reigning AFCON champions, the Lions of Teranga were thought to be the African team that could break through to the semifinal stage in the global event for the first time.

The 31-year-old’s 39 goals in 100 appearances for his country simply could not be replicated. It’s hard to see how Senegal defend their crown if Mane fails to fire.

Sadio Mane has come a long way in the football industry since his professional debut in 2012.

In just under a decade, Mane has played for a range of top European and English teams like Red Bull Salzburg, Southampton, Liverpool and now Saudi Pro league Al Nassr.

On Monday, January 15, the Teranga Lions will play their first AFCON matchup against the neighboring country of Gambia and also face Cameroon and Guinea in the next group games.

Senegal fans hope Mane, now aged 31, hasn’t lost his edge as he strives to guide his team to successive AFCON triumphs.

Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)

Despite Guinea’s lower ranking and challenging group stage, all eyes will be on Serhou Guirassy, the 27-year-old French-born striker.

The player has maintained a commendable average of 10 league goals per season in the past three years, first with Rennes and later with VfB Stuttgart.

However, his performance with the latter in the current campaign has been nothing short of remarkable.

He also set the Bundesliga record for most goals by a player in the first seven matches of a season by scoring a hat-trick within 15 minutes in a 3–1 win against Wolfsburg.  This set the record at 13 goals, overtaking Robert Lewandowski’s record of 11 in both 2019–20 and 2020–21.

Guinea will begin their Nations Cup campaign with a challenging match against Cameroon on Monday in the Group C opener.

With 19 goals in 16 games, Guirassy aims to transfer his club success to the international stage and elevate Guinea’s standing in the tournament.

Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco)

As one of the Favorites, Morocco relies on Youssef En-Nesyri to deliver in the striker’s role. The 26-year-old Sevilla center-forward, who played a pivotal role in Morocco’s semi-final run in the 2022 World Cup, showcased his goal-scoring prowess with a brace in a friendly against Sierra Leone, signaling his readiness for AFCON.

With nine goals for his club this season, En-Nesyri was a hero for Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, including a crucial winner against Portugal in the quarterfinals.

The historic achievement of reaching the World Cup semifinal in Qatar left their manager Walid Regragui with a clear mission ahead, to win the 2023 AFCON. 

Nesyri,  known for his aerial game and heading ability has scored in each of the last three African Cup of Nations and is seeking to become the first Moroccan player to score in four editions of the tournament.

On a far different note, to that of Salah, Mane and Osimhen, Youssef En-Nesyri’s performance in front of goal is likely to hold the key to Morocco’s ambitions. 

Morrocco will be facing the Taifa Stars on Wednesday, followed by DRC Congo and Zambia.

AFCON promises thrilling clashes and unforgettable moments, with these five strikers poised to capture the spotlight.  

Absorbing games, crackling atmospheres and drama featuring some of the best players in the world are guaranteed as holders Senegal defend the trophy, they won by beating Egypt on penalties in the 2021 final in Cameroon two years ago.