Much competition is expected for the golden boot at the African Cup of Nations as the tournament will feature some of the World’s top strikers.
For the first time in over 15 years, Kenya has qualified for the continental tournament and our strikers also have a chance of bagging the golden boot. However, Kenya’s strikers will be facing huge competition from some of the continent’s top strikers.
Kashiwa Reysol’s Michael Olunga is the striker that will be carrying the country’s hopes of finding the back of the net. The striker has scored once in the two friendlies Harambee Stars have had in preparation of the tournament.
In last season’s English Premier League, which is one of the best leagues in the World, three Africans shared the golden boot after scoring 22 goals in the competition. Two of them, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, will be representing their countries at the tourney while one, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, will not as his country (Gabon) did not qualify.
Here are some of the top strikers in the continent who will be battling for the golden boot at AFCON.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt, The Pharaohs)
Liverpool FC’s Salah is a favourite because he will be playing on home soil and has already done a lot for the Egyptian people. Most of Salah’s goals have been crucial in helping the Pharaohs make history.
He scored a last minute goal against Uganda to help Egypt qualify for World Cup for the first time in 28 years. His story has been a fairy tale that will get even better if he wins the AFCON for Egypt and the golden boot for himself.
Alex Iwobi (Nigeria, The Super Eagles)
The Arsenal attacker may not have had much playtime at the North London club but whenever given the chance he has delivered. He scored during Arsenal’s Europa League final loss which probably made coach Unai Emery to wish he should have included him (Iwobi) in the starting 11.
Iwobi is one of the dependable players in the Nigeria squad and will definitely cause problems to other teams’ defenses at the tournament. If Nigeria do well at the tournament, Iwobi will have played a great part to that.
Sadio Mane (Senegal, The Lions of Teranga)
Just like his Liverpool teammate, Mohamed Salah, Mane won the golden boot in last season’s English Premier League. Mane is captaining a team that has been termed as favourites to win the title in Egypt and leads Africa on Fifa rankings.
Mane has the support of top players like Ismailia Sarr, Mbaye Niang’ and Keita Balde who have the potential of creating as many chances. The striking combination Mane plays with can easily help Mane claim the golden boot.
Riyadh Mahrez (Algeria, The Desert Foxes)
Fresh after winning a domestic treble in England, Mahrez leads his fellow Algerians to yet another international tournament after failing to get past the group stage during their 2017 campaign of the tournament.
Mahrez is the most looked on player in the Algerian squad but other players like Islam Slimani and Sofiane Feghouli could make an impact. Mahrez is although still the most likely to dictate Algeria’s play at the tournament.
Algeria will start their campaign against Kenya.
Wilfred Zaha (Ivory Coast, The Elephants)
Zaha is one of the best players in the English Premier League and has always caused problems to opponents’ defenses. Wilfred Zaha will lead Ivory Coast’s front line alongside Nicholas Pepe.
Zaha played for England in the under 20 matches but opted to play for Ivory Coast at senior level.
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