With AFCON 2023 almost upon us, some of the finest talents in world football will be battling it out to become champions of Africa.
The continent has produced incredible forwards such as Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o, and there are plenty more to keep an eye on this time around.
In 2021, the last tournament gave us a Liverpool showdown. Mohamed Salah’s Egypt faced off with Sadio Mane’s Senegal for in a dramatic final.
It was Mane, now of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, who triumphed. Senegal won on penalties to break Egyptian hearts.
But while everyone will be familiar with those two former teammates, we at Sportslens have picked out five other forwards to watch at this year’s AFCON tournament.
Forwards To Watch At AFCON 2023
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
Napoli star Victor Osimhen has been heavily linked with a move to England. Chelsea are reportedly interested in the 25-year-old, and with good reason.
Osimhen has 57 goals in 96 Serie A games for Napoli. Should he swap the blue of Napoli for that of Chelsea, he will bring an incredible finishing ability to Stamford Bridge.
He is equally impressive in Nigerian colours, too. With 20 goals in 27 caps, he has a phenomenal strike rate.
One of the better-known names on our list, he’s one to watch nonetheless.
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
Guinean striker Serhou guirassy has been ripping up trees in the Bundesliga this season. One of the most in-demand forwards in world football, the Stuttgart man has been linked with a hatful of clubs.
With 17 goals in 14 league appearances and a rumoured release clause of just £15 million, it’s no wonder he’s caught the eye. In Europe’s top five leagues, only Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe have outscored Guirassy.
As a result, Stuttgart are now firmly in Champions League contention. It will therefore be a big loss for their main man to be on international duty.
🌍 Highest rated African players in Europe's top five leagues this season:
🥇 Serhou Guirassy 🇬🇳 – 7.87
🥈 Victor Boniface 🇳🇬 – 7.81
🥉 Mohamed Salah 🇪🇬 – 7.47
🏅 Wilfried Singo 🇨🇮 – 7.18
🏅 Achraf Hakimi 🇲🇦 – 7.17#AFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/dZGje9uSEV— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 10, 2024
A French youth international, he declared for the country of his parents in 2022.
His three goals in 12 caps for Guinea is less impressive, but there is no doubting Guirassy’s quality. He’s therefore one of the top forwards to look out for at AFCON 2023.
Mohammed Kudus (Ghana)
One man Premier League fans will know by now is Mohammed Kudus. The West Ham star has been a revelation for David Moyes since his arrival in the summer.
At just 23, the Ghanaian striker has his best years ahead of him, but already has 13 goals in 27 appearances for the Irons.
He joined from Eredivisie side Ajax this season and has been in superb form all year. His nine international goals in 26 caps make him a key man for Ghana, too.
If he can translate his club form onto the international stage at AFCON 2023, he will be one of the top scorers at the tournament.
Victor Boniface (Nigeria)
While another Victor will be Nigeria’s headline star, it’s not just Osimhen that fans must watch out for. Victor Boniface joined Bayer Leverkusen from Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer, and has really hit the ground running.
The 23-year-old has 16 goals for Xabi Alonso’s side in all competitions, with Leverkusen top of the Bundesliga. Also pitching in with eight assists, the combination with Osimhen will be terrifying for opponents.
Boniface ranks in the top five percent of strikers in Europe’s big five leagues for non-penalty xG, shots, assists and attacking penalty area touches per 90 minutes.
Making his debut for Nigeria in September, Boniface has five caps but is yet to score in a competitive fixture. Should the two Victors both hit top form, Nigeria will be a formidable prospect.
Mohamed Amoura (Algeria)
From one forward who left Union SG to the man who’s stepped up to replace him. Mohamed Amoura has been on fire in the Juliper Pro League.
The Algerian forward is likely to court attention from the top clubs in Europe before long, having scored 13 goals in 15 league games this season.
🇩🇿 One of the players I’m looking forward to seeing more of at AFCON is Mohamed Amoura.
20 goal contributions in 25 games this season.
He is averaging a goal every 84 minutes.
Put in an MOTM performance against #LFC in the Europa League with a goal and an assist.
Only 23… pic.twitter.com/azNUsTMFMd
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) January 3, 2024
The 23-year-old was Algeria’s top scorer in AFCON 2023 qualification and has averaged a goal every 84 minutes for his club so far.
Able to play across the front line, his combination with Riyad Mahrez will be crucial in determining how far Algeria progress in the tournament.
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