Check out our ranking of the best African strikers as we dive deep into the continent’s experienced stars and emerging talents.
A new wave of African strikers has taken the world football by storm in recent seasons. In addition to the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, a number of younger stars have attracted interest from Europe’s elite sides.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best active strikers who play for African national teams.
10. Vincent Aboubakar
Aboubakar’s stunning performances in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations suggested he could secure a move back to Europe for the final years of his career. The Cameroon international finally got his wish when he left Al Nassr for Besiktas in January 2023.
Since then, Aboubakar’s impressive goalscoring consistency has earned him a regular spot in the Turkish side’s lineup. He has registered six goals in 12 appearances across all competitions so far this season.
9. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang ended his disastrous spell at Chelsea to find a new start in Ligue 1. Marseille signed the Gabonese striker in the summer as he returned to the country where he started his journey in European football in 2005.
Unlike Chelsea, Marseille is providing the former Borussia Dortmund star with regular playing time. Aubameyang has scored twice in the French side’s three Europa League matches so far this season.
8 Gift Orban
Orban has quickly established himself as one of the most promising African stars in European football since his move to Genk in January 2023.
The Nigerian starlet has found a solid start at his new club, scoring seven goals in 16 appearances across all competitions. The 21-year-old has reportedly attracted interest from a number of top European clubs, including Barcelona and Tottenham.
7. Victor Boniface
Boniface has found a dream start to his Bundesliga career after moving to the club from Union SG in the summer. Under Xabi Alonso, he has become one of the most in-form strikers in the German top flight, helping Leverkusen maintain their place at the top of the table.
So far, Boniface has registered seven goals and three assists in only nine Bundesliga appearances. The 22-year-old’s performances have also been key to Leverkusen’s strong start in the Europea League, where he has made three goal contributions in as many matches.
6. Taiwo Awoniyi
A year after his move to Nottingham Forest, Awoniyi has fully established himself as the club’s main striker. Despite massive changes in Forest’s squad, Awoniyi has maintained his place by keeping his goal numbers high.
Despite Forest’s poor start to the season, Awoniyi has scored three goals and provided two assists in eight matches for the Premier League club.
5. Sébastien Haller
Haller’s challenging 2022-23 season ended in a heartbreaking title defeat on the Bundesliga’s final matchday. But as always, Dortmund are back to make another push for the league title this season. Haller, however, is facing serious competition from Niclas Füllkrug to maintain his place in Edin Terzic’s starting lineup.
4. Sadio Mane
Mane is the only player on our list who’s not playing for a European club. After ending his unsuccessful spell at Bayern Munich, the Senegal star has found a new start alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr.
As Al Nassr continue their title race with Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Mane is expected to continue his role as one of their most crucial players.
3. Serhou Guirassy
Guirassy is arguably the most exciting breakout star in European football this season. Since completing a summer move from Rennes, the Guinean striker has taken the Bundesliga by storm with his performances for Stuttgart.
There’s already concrete interest from a few elite European clubs as Guirassy’s numbers suggest he could become Bundesliga’s next £100m striker.
2 Victor Osimhen
Osimhen has continued his key role in Napoli’s attacking line as they push to defend the Serie A title. The Nigerian star’s rocky relationship with the club’s hierarchy has intensified reports about his possible exit next summer. But all of that hasn’t been enough to distract the Super Eagles star from continuing his excellent goalscoring run at Napoli.
1 Mohamed Salah
Salah remains Africa’s finest striker as Liverpool gradually bounce back from their difficult 2022-23 season. The Egypt international has quickly integrated into Jurgen Klopp’s tactics for the new campaign while maintaining his incredible goal numbers in both the Premier League and Europa League.
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