AFCON Top Scorers After the 2024 Finals
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the biggest football tournament in the continent, where the best teams and players compete for glory and pride. The 2024 edition, hosted by Ivory Coast, was full of excitement, drama, and goals. A total of 100 goals were scored in 32 matches, with an average of 3.13 goals per game.
But who were the top scorers of the tournament? Who impressed the most with their finishing skills and clinical strikes? Let’s take a look at the list of all AFCON top scorers after the 2024 finals.
Emilio Nsue: The Surprise Star of 2024
Nsue led his team to a historic quarter-final appearance, scoring in every match he played. He scored a hat-trick against Cape Verde in the group stage, a penalty against Algeria in the round of 16, and a consolation goal against Nigeria in the quarter-finals. He was the only player to score more than four goals in the tournament, and won the Golden Boot award.
About Emilio Nsue
The Unlikely Hero of AFCON 2023 Emilio Nsue is not a household name in world football. He was born in Mallorca, Spain, and played for clubs like Middlesbrough, Birmingham City, and Apollon Limassol. He never represented Spain at any level, and only switched his allegiance to Equatorial Guinea, his father's country, in 2015.
But in the past month, he has become the star of the African Cup of Nations, scoring five goals in four games and leading his team to the quarter-finals, where they lost to eventual champions South Africa on penalties. He finished as the top scorer of the tournament, ahead of more illustrious names like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Hakim Ziyech.
Nsue's remarkable feat is even more impressive considering that Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest and poorest countries in Africa, with a population of about 1.4 million and a GDP of about $10 billion. The country has never qualified for the World Cup, and only made its AFCON debut in 2012, when it co-hosted the tournament with Gabon.
He was named in the team of the tournament, along with South Africa's goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who won the best player award. He also received a personal message from the president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema, who congratulated him and his teammates for their historic achievement. Nsue said he was proud and honored to represent Equatorial Guinea, and thanked the fans for their support.
Nsue is now a legend in Equatorial Guinea, and a hero in Africa. He has shown that with passion, determination, and talent, anything is possible in football. He has also shown that the AFCON is a tournament where dreams can come true, and where stars can be born.
Gelson Dala and Mostafa Mohamed: The Joint Runners-Up
Two players shared the second place in the AFCON top scorers list, with four goals each: Gelson Dala of Angola and Mostafa Mohamed of Egypt. Both players were instrumental in their teams’ performances, helping them reach the semi-finals.
Dala is a 25-year-old forward who plays for Rio Ave in Portugal. He scored two goals against Ethiopia and one each against Mali and Senegal, showing his pace, dribbling, and finishing skills. He also provided an assist for his teammate Mabululu, who also scored three goals in the tournament.
Mohamed is a 24-year-old striker who plays for Galatasaray in Turkey. He scored two goals against Tunisia and one each against DR Congo and Ghana, showing his strength, aerial ability, and composure. He also won a penalty for his team against Senegal in the semi-finals, which was converted by Mohamed Salah.
Other Notable Scorers
Several other players scored three goals in the 2024 AFCON, including some big names and some emerging talents. Here are some of the notable scorers who impressed in the tournament:
- Ademola Lookman: The Nigeria winger scored three goals and provided an assist in six matches, helping his team win the AFCON for the fourth time. He scored against Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and Senegal, showing his flair, creativity, and confidence.
- Bertrand Traore: The Burkina Faso forward scored three goals in four matches, helping his team reach the quarter-finals. He scored against Gabon, Morocco, and Egypt, showing his speed, skill, and versatility.
- Baghdad Bounedjah: The Algeria striker scored three goals in three matches, helping his team top their group. He scored against Ethiopia, Cape Verde, and Equatorial Guinea, showing his poacher’s instinct, movement, and clinical finishing.
- Mohamed Bayo: The Guinea striker scored three goals in five matches, helping his team reach the quarter-finals. He scored against Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Cameroon, showing his power, heading, and positioning.
- Lassine Sinayoko: The Mali midfielder scored three goals in five matches, helping his team reach the quarter-finals. He scored against Angola, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, showing his long-range shooting, passing, and leadership.
Conclusion
The 2024 AFCON was a feast of goals, with many players showcasing their talents and abilities. The top scorers of the tournament were a mix of established stars and new faces, who entertained the fans and inspired their teams. The AFCON is a platform for the best African players to shine, and the 2024 edition was no exception. We look forward to seeing more goals and more stars in the next edition, which will be held in Guinea in 2026.
