The wait for the 2023 AFCON tournament is almost over as the continent's top teams and players prepare to battle it out for Africa's premier football prize. Rain issues in Ivory Coast forced the tournament organizers to delay the matches until January 2024.
This has affected many top players playing in top European leagues who've had to leave their clubs mid-season to compete for their counties. Several individual prizes will be won during the tournament, including the Golden Boot award. The Indomitable Lion, Vincent Aboubakar, won the award in 2022 with eight goals in seven games. However, many talented strikers will give the Cameroonian a run for his money. AFCON bettors will be keen to see who scores the most goals. Considering the strikers featuring in the tournament, this will be a tough one to call.
Here are the players likely to clinch the AFCON 2023 Golden Boot award:
Mohamed Salah - Egypt
Mo Salah is arguably the most on-form forward in the world right now! He recently joined the prestigious list of top EPL players to have scored over 150 goals. Salah is known for his dribbling, pace, and finishing prowess.
Furthermore, he has been a top player for club and country in recent years. Salah's ability to score crucial goals will be useful as The Pharaohs chase an 8th AFCON title. Fans expect to see a Salah vs. Osimhen race for the Golden Boot.
Victor Osimhen - Nigeria
Osimhen's recent form and goal-scoring track record make him a strong contender for the top scorer of AFCON 2023. He is already the top scorer of the 2023 AFCON qualifiers after bagging ten goals in six matches. This proves Osimhen is a lethal finisher and a top contender for the tournament's Golden Boot award.
Fans should be prepared to be amazed by his speed, physicality, and clinical finishing as he leads the Super Eagles' front line. If he fires on all cylinders, he can potentially make Nigeria a formidable challenger for the AFCON 2023 title.
Mohammed Kudus - Ghana
Kudus has been among David Moyes' key players as West Ham continues to impress in the EPL. The Ghanaian has scored nine goals for West Ham in all competitions, including five EPL goals. Coach Chris Hughton revealed that Kudus will join the Black Stars camp late due to injury, stirring fan concerns. Should he recover in time to feature in all the tournament's matches, Kudus has shown he can be a goal- scoring machine for Ghana. Nonetheless, he has what it takes to give Salah and Osimhen tough competition for the Golden Boot.