AFCON: Three best scorers in the history of the tournament
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All original articlesSince 1957, the African Cup of Nations has crowned teams, but also shaped offensive legends. Throughout the decades, some forwards have gone beyond the simple framework of occasional performances to permanently inscribe their name in the history of the tournament. From the pioneer to the uncontested king, a look back at the three best scorers in the history of the competition.
3. Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria): 13 goals
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Rashidi Yekini occupies third place in the table of the best scorers in the history of the African Cup of Nations with 13 goals. A mark achieved in 5 editions (1984, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994), for 24 matches played under the Super Eagles jersey.
Front-center with a powerful profile, Yekini was one of the great architects of Nigeria’s rise to power on the continental stage. The Super Eagles have played 3 consecutive finals with him (1984, 1988 and 1990), before finishing third in 1992, then finally winning the title in 1994. This edition remains the most accomplished of his career. Yekini scored 5 goals, finished best scorer and is designated as the tournament’s best player, leading Nigeria to their second continental title.
He also remains in the collective memory for having scored the first goal in the history of Nigeria in the World Cup, during the 1994 World Cup against Bulgaria, accompanied by a raging celebration that has become iconic. Best scorer in Nigeria’s history with 37 goals in 62 caps, Rashidi Yekini passed away on 4 May 2012 at the age of 48.
2. Laurent Pokou (Ivory Coast): 14 goals
The record that challenged time
For a long time, the name of Laurent Pokou dominated the history books of the AFCON. With 14 goals, the Ivorian striker held the position of best historical scorer of the tournament for several decades. His performance is all the more remarkable as he recorded these 14 achievements in just two editions, in 1968 and 1970. Pokou alone embodies the AFCON of the 1960s-1970s, a time when attackers rocked entire competitions.
During the 1970 edition, he definitely entered the legend by scoring five goals in a single match against Ethiopia, a record still unmatched. This same edition sees him score eight goals, one of the most impressive individual performances in the tournament’s history. Second best scorer in the history of Ivory Coast with 42 goals, Laurent Pokou will remain a mythical figure of African football. He passed away on 13 November 2016, at the age of 69.
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1. Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon): 18 goals
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At the top of this ranking stands Samuel Eto'o, the best scorer in the history of the African Cup of Nations with 18 goals. A record built over time, in six editions (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010), proof of its longevity and its constant influence at the highest continental level. Eto'o didn’t just pile up the goals. He also marked the collective history of Cameroon, winning the competition twice, in 2000 and 2002, a period during which the Indomitable Lions dominated Africa.
Unlucky finalist in 2010 against Egypt, after a fiercely fought final, Eto'o fails to add a third title to its list of achievements. But his legacy is beyond trophies. With 56 goals in 118 caps, he remains the best scorer in the history of Cameroon and remains, for many, the greatest African player of all time.