Overview
The Africa Cup of Nations has been a global stage for elite football players. Many of Africa’s greatest stars—past and present—have made their mark at AFCON through goals, assists, leadership, and match-winning performances.
Below are selected lists of notable top scorers, creative playmakers, and outstanding goalkeepers who influenced the tournament’s history.
Top Scorers (All Time)
| Player | Nation | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Samuel Eto’o | Cameroon | 18 |
| Laurent Pokou | Ivory Coast | 14 |
| Rashidi Yekini | Nigeria | 13 |
| Hossam Hassan | Egypt | 11 |
| Didier Drogba | Ivory Coast | 11 |
Top Assists (Selected)
| Player | Nation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yaya Touré | Ivory Coast | Influential midfield creator |
| Riyad Mahrez | Algeria | Key contributions in title runs |
| Mohamed Salah | Egypt | Major chance-creator and leader |
| Hakim Ziyech | Morocco | Technical playmaking ability |
Best Goalkeepers (Selected)
| Player | Nation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Essam El-Hadary | Egypt | 4× AFCON Champion |
| Thomas N’Kono | Cameroon | Legendary 1980s keeper |
| Edouard Mendy | Senegal | Key in 2021 triumph |
| Vincent Enyeama | Nigeria | Top tournament performer |