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African football has produced some outstanding talents that the world has never seen before. From some legendary strikers that used to terrorize the defenders in the biggest leagues in Europe, all the way to homegrown champions of African tournaments, the continent has a rich history of goal-scoring icons. This post will explore the richest strata of the history of African football by chronicling some outlandishly high scorers.
1. Samuel Eto’o—The Indomitable Lion King
Samuel Eto’o is one of the African strikers that is not very easy to match. The Cameroonian footballing legend managed to score well over 350 career goals, with his time spent at Barcelona, Chelsea, and Inter Milan being some of his pinnacle years. Managing to clinch the UEFA Champions League title 3 times during his prosperous career, Eto’o is known by many for his deadly finishing, elusive pace, as well as his overall composed demeanor and player psychology during a match. Eto’o further went on to score a whopping 56 goals during his time with Cameroon, where he acquired the title of ‘the highest goal scorer’ of Cameroon.
2. Didier Drogba—Chelsea’s Ivorian Legend
One cannot talk about African football legends without mentioning Didier Drogba. The Ivorian talisman scored over 300 goals and became Chelsea’s greatest striker and a cult figure at Stamford Bridge. Drogba is known as the King of Wembley because of his ability to score goals in critical matches, especially finals. He also scored 65 goals for the national team of the Ivory Coast and made his mark as one of the great African players.
3. Mohamed Salah—The Egyptian King
Even in today’s football, the name Mohamed Salah is known to everyone. Currently a winger for Liverpool, the Egyptian has scored more than 200 goals for the club, proving to be a prolific scorer. Salah has made his mark in the history of English football as one of the best goal scorers in the history of the league because of his lightning speed, dribbling ability, and clinical finishing. With the Egyptian national team, Salah also proved to be an integral part in helping his nation, as he has scored more than 60 international goals.
- Asamoah Gyan—Record Breaker of Ghana
Gyan, also known as “Baby Jet,” is the leading scorer of Ghana, having scored 51 goals. Additionally, he shattered records as the highest African goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 6 goals. Gyan’s achievements led him to multiple clubs in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, where he scored over 200 goals in his entire football career.
- Rashidi Yekini—The Goal Machine of Nigeria
The legendary Rashidi Yekini remains one of the most celebrated figures of Nigeria. He scored 37 goals in 58 matches for the Super Eagles, making him the top scorer of Nigeria with the most goals. Yekini is remembered for his iconic celebration in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where he scored Nigeria’s first goal at the World Cup. He has also scored over 200 goals in club and international football during his career.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang—The Gabonese Speedster
Blistering pace and sharp finishing are what Aubameyang is known for. He has scored over 300 career goals in clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, and Barcelona. He netted over 30 international goals representing Gabon and time and time again is seen as someone who carries the entire national team.
7. Nwankwo Kanu—The Nigerian Maestro
Although Kanu Nwankwo does not have as towering a presence in soccer as some of his peers, he is no less remarkable. Throughout his career, he amassed a remarkable 100-plus career goals, including winning two African Player of the Year awards and playing for various clubs such as Ajax, Inter Milan, and Arsenal. Kanu was a uniquely gifted footballer whose beloved status throughout the continent can be attributed to his goal-scoring prowess, as well as his vision, creativity, and leadership.
Honorable Mentions
Roger Milla (Cameroon) – Danced his way into history with the famous corner flag dance during the 1990 World Cup.
George Weah (Liberia)—A corrupt former leader of Liberia and the only African to be awarded the Ballon D’Or for a career full of remarkable goals.
Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia)—An amazing footballer whom his people hold in high esteem for the great performances he delivered for his country.
Conclusion
The breed of African footballers who can bulldoze defenders, such as Eto’o and Drogba, and the electrifying Mohamed Salah prove that Africa is a gifted continent when it comes to attacking talent. With the emergence of more stars, the story of African soccer legends will continue to inspire the new generation of soccer players.
