The top six strikers to watch at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast

The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have showcased some prolific strikers who will be interesting to watch next year in Ivory Coast.

A total of 345 goals have been celebrated from the 141 matches that were played over 18 months since March last year.

The goal count suggests that the striking department has improved over the last two qualifiers to a ratio of about 2.45 goals per match, up from 2.38 in the Egypt 2019 race.

However, only seven players managed to score four goals and above, while only Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen hit double figures.

Four-goal heroes

Namibian star Peter Shalulile continued with his fine form, scoring four of Brave Warriors' six goals as they qualified for their third Africa Cup of Nations in history.

Shalulile, who features for South African giants Mamelodi Sundowns, enjoyed a good season where he also emerged as the top scorer of the 2022/23 CAF Champions League with five goals.

He tied on four with 21-year-old Burkina Faso’s wonderkid Aboubacar Faissal Ouattara.

The youngster plays for English Premier League side Bournemouth FC.

Mane, Daka

Sadio Mane improved on his goal count from what he achieved to score five. The Senegalese legend was rampant in the three opening games, scoring a hattrick against Benin in their 3-1 win, the on Mozambique 5-1.

Zambian Patson Daka, who plays for English Football League Championship side Leicester City, matched his previous campaign’s effort by scoring five.

The others with five include Central African Repulic’s Louis Mafouta and Tunisia’s Youssef Msakini.

Victor Osimhen

The Nigerian forward transferred his form at club level to reap 15 points for the Super Eagles.

Osimhen bagged ten goals, which included seven against minnows Sao Tome and Principe and three against Sierra Leone over the two legs.