As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations prepares to kick off in Morocco on December 21, the spotlight intensifies on the continent's elite goal scorers vying for the coveted Golden Boot award. With 24 nations set to battle for Africa's most prestigious football trophy, the race to be crowned the tournament's top marksman is equally fierce.
Frontrunners in the Goal-Scoring Race
Nigeria's Victor Osimhen enters the competition as one of the foremost favourites. Fresh from his exploits with Turkish club Galatasaray, Osimhen is Africa's most feared striker. His role is expected to be even more pivotal for the Super Eagles under the attack-minded strategy of coach Eric Chelle. With the retirement of William Troost-Ekong, Osimhen is likely to assume penalty duties, significantly boosting his potential goal tally. Having scored just once in the 2023 edition, the Napoli star is poised for a major breakthrough, aiming to emulate Odion Ighalo's five-goal haul from 2019.
His primary challenger is Egypt's Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool icon, despite his phenomenal Premier League record where he netted 29 goals last season, has an underwhelming AFCON scoring history with only seven goals across four tournaments. Now 31 and after a reported fallout with Liverpool manager Arne Slot, Salah carries the weight of expectation. This edition in Morocco could be his final chance to claim AFCON glory, adding urgency to his campaign to finally secure the Golden Boot.
Other Key Contenders for Top Scorer
The race features other formidable attackers. Morocco's Brahim Díaz has seamlessly transitioned to the Atlas Lions after switching allegiance from Spain. The Real Madrid forward was the top scorer in AFCON qualifiers with seven goals and will enjoy a significant home advantage, making him a serious threat.
Gabon's veteran striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, brings experience and renewed form from his club campaign with Marseille. Although he has only six AFCON goals historically, Gabon's improved squad performance in recent World Cup qualifiers positions him as a credible dark horse.
Completing the list of top five contenders is Algeria's Mohamed Amoura. The Wolfsburg forward was sensational in World Cup qualifiers, scoring 10 goals and providing key assists. North African teams often excel on home soil in the region, and Amoura's current form makes him a potential surprise package in the Golden Boot chase.
Supercomputer Predicts Tournament Favourites
In related news, Opta's supercomputer has analysed the title chances for all competing nations. Despite being runners-up in the 2023 edition, Nigeria's Super Eagles have only a 7.3% probability of winning the trophy. They are ranked behind favourites Morocco, as well as Egypt, Senegal, and Algeria. This prediction sets the stage for a highly competitive tournament where individual brilliance, particularly from the Golden Boot contenders, could defy the statistical odds.
The stage is set in Morocco for a festival of football where these five superstar strikers will not only aim to fire their nations to glory but also to etch their names as the tournament's most prolific scorer.
