Here, SABC Sport takes a look at AFCON’s top scorers seeking glory at the continental showpiece.

Andre Ayew - 10 AFCON goals in 34 matches

The forward is the gift that keeps on giving for Ghana. Fourteen years after captaining Ghana to the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup title, the veteran is set to wear the national colours and the captain's armband once again. Attending his eighth tournament, Ayew goals have been littered across the years.

Vincent Aboubakar - 9 AFCON goals in 15 matches

The Cameroon striker is relentless. In the 2021 edition, Aboubakar netted a tournament-leading eight goals, including a brace to tie up their third-place play-off against Burkina Faso. The former Porto sharpshooter also wrote Cameroon’s name in history when he scored the winning goal in the 2017 AFCON final against Egypt.

Sadio Mane - 8 AFCON goals in 18 matches

Perhaps it’s no surprise that Senegal's all-time leading goalscorer makes this list. Mane scored three goals to help Senegal to a runner-up finish in the 2019 tournament. But the two-time African Footballer of the Year went one better in 2021, scoring in the semi-finals and then netting the title-winning penalty in the final.

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Youssef Msakni - 7 AFCON goals in 26 matches

The Tunisia captain likes to lead from the front. Msakni featured in the 2020 tournament at just 19 years old but held his own. Subsequent all-round performances saw him handed the captain’s armband. One of his proudest moments is undoubtedly scoring the winning goal against African giants Nigeria in the last AFCON.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 6 AFCON goals in 13 matches

The French-born player made his senior debut for Gabon in 2009 at just 19. Following in the footsteps of his father, Aubameyang would go on to captain the national side. The speedy striker pulled out of 2021 AFCON after testing positive for Covid-19 and announced his retirement from football months later. However, the former Arsenal superstar reversed his decision and will be eager to add to his goal tally in Ivory Coast.

Riyad Mahrez - 6 AFCON goals in 17 matches

The Algeria star enjoyed a bright start at 2017 AFCON, scoring both goals in their opener against Zimbabwe for a man-of-the-match performance. In 2019, Mahrez scored a match-winner in the dying embers of their semi-final clash against Nigeria, one of his three goals for the tournament. The right winger will captain the Desert Foxes for their 2023 campaign.

Mohamed Salah - 6 AFCON goals in 17 matches

The Egypt superstar has needed just three tournaments to make this list. The silky striker has picked up two goals in each edition, but never lifted the coveted trophy. This is despite featuring in two finals - 2017 and 2021 - the latter of which Salah was up against former Liverpool team-mate Mane.

Could the 2023 tournament finally be Salah’s moment in the sun? Follow the tournament live here on SABC Sport and find out.

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