Osimhen, Boniface and 5 Nigerian Topscorers of 2023 As AFCON Approaches

• The AFCON is set to herald the African football scene in 2024
• Nigeria’s Super Eagles boast of an array of enviable attacking talent
• Sports Brief takes a look at the top five highest-scoring Nigerian footballers of 2023

The eagerly awaited 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is just around the corner, and numerous teams are poised to vie for the esteemed title in what remains the continent's most prestigious football tournament.

Leading the charge among the contenders are the Super Eagles of Nigeria, widely regarded as strong contenders for the championship, thanks to the formidable attacking prowess possessed by Jose Peseiro's squad.

The offensive might of this three-time Cup of Nations champion is highlighted by the presence of stars such as Victor Boniface, a five-time Bundesliga Rookie of the Month, Atalanta’s marksman Ademola Lookman, and the recently crowned African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen amongst other stars.

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As AFCON draws near and anticipation builds around the formidable attacking force of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, Sports Brief delves into the top five Nigerian goalscorers of 2023.

Victor Osimhen

The 25-year-old Nigerian forward has himself a remarkable 2023 both for his national team and at club level.

Osimhen played a pivotal role in leading Napoli to their first scudetto triumph in 33 years and earned well-deserved recognition as the Italian Serie A forward of the year.

Throughout the calendar year, the prolific Nigerian forward showcased his goal-scoring prowess, finding the back of the net 34 times, as reported by Fotmob.

As a fitting culmination of his outstanding performances, Osimhen clinched the prestigious African Footballer of the Year award.

Gift Orban

The dynamic forward grabbed the spotlight by netting a rapid-fire hat-trick in Gent's UEFA Europa Conference League triumph against Istanbul Basaksehir.

As per statistics from Whoscored, the young Nigerian forward demonstrated his scoring prowess, recording an impressive 32 goals in 2023. Unfortunately, despite his stellar performance, he fell short of making it to Jose Peseiro's final AFCON list.

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Odion Ighalo

The 2019 AFCON topscorer also finished high up amongst the list of highest-scoring Nigerian football players in 2023.

Despite switching clubs in the Suadi Pro League, the 34-year-old was involved in 28 goals through the calendar year.

Victor Boniface

The 23-year-old, who remains one of Europe’s standout players through the season, has adjusted to life in the German Bundesliga like a duck taking to water.

The former Bodo Glimt forward found the back of the net 26 times through 2023.

Akor Adams

The 23-year-old has indeed become one of the surprise spring-up stars of 2023 across Europe. His transfer to Ligue 1 club Montpellier has seen him find the back of the net seven times, which appears enough to keep Michel Der Zakarian afloat off the relegation zone.

According to data courtesy of Whoscored Adams found the back of the net 25 times through 2023.

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Adepoju backs Super Eagles for AFCON

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ex-Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju has approved the Super Eagles' final 25-man list for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and believes the team is good enough to win the title.

Manager Jose Peseiro released Nigeria’s final squad to the competition in Ivory Coast, with top stars like Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi and Victor Boniface all making the final cut to the AFCON.

Adepoju opined that this is an opportunity for Nigeria to lift it’s fourth continental title due to the pedigree of the players Peseiro has selected.