As the latest international break concludes, we decided to shine a spotlight on the five most prolific African international goalscorers of all time.
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*Note: All goal tallies are as per Transfermarkt
1. Godfrey Chitalu
While there is a contentious debate about who actually has the most goals in a calendar year between him and Lionel Messi, what is indisputable is Godfrey Chitalu's record for the Zambia national team. The legendary forward is the most clinical marksman in the history of African nations with his 79 goals in 91 games. He also came tremendously close to winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 1974, when his Chipolopolo side finished as runners-up to Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo).
2. Hossam Hassan
Unlike Chitalu, Hossam Hassan's goals saw him lift multiple AFCON titles. The legendary Egyptian striker managed to find the back of the net 68 times in 176 appearances for the Pharaohs, and was the top goalscorer at the 1998 edition of the continental showpiece. That tournament in Burkina Faso was the second of three AFCON titles the former Al Ahly attacker won with the north African giants.
3. Didier Drogba
Like Hassan, Didier Drogba made it to multiple AFCON finals, but was never able to fully certify his legend in the Ivory Coast's history books by winning the competition. Despite those missed opportunities, the former Chelsea striker is still much beloved in his home country and that probably has something to do with the 65 goals he scored in his 105 appearances for the Elephants during more than 10 years with the team. The Abidjan native also won the AFCON Golden Boot in 2012.
4. Samuel Eto'o
During his career, Drogba shared the limelight with another iconic striker and fellow west African, Samuel Eto'o. The attacker is one of the most decorated African footballers of all time with his illustrious trophy haul from his time with Mallorca, Barcelona and Inter Milan, and he has just as impressive a trophy cabinet with Cameroon, winning back-to-back AFCON titles between 2000 and 2002. While he did not win the top goalscorer honours in any of those tournaments, only accomplishing that feat 2006 and 2008, he is the most prolific attacker in the competition's history with 18 goals. He found the back of net 56 times for his nation in 118 appearances.
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5. Mohamed Salah
The only active player on this list is Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, with 54 goals for the Egyptian national team. Like his former Chelsea teammate Drogba, the winger has made it to two AFCON finals but has won none. He is incredibly efficient, however, with his strikes having come in just 96 appearances for the north African giants.
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