Top 10 African Goal Scorers in Europe: Osimhen, Salah Trail Guirassy As Jackson Makes List

Amid football's evolution through means such as technology, data, and conditioning, goal-scoring remains the ultimate measure of a player's success in the sport.

When discussing the most prolific strikers, names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ferenc Puskas, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland come to mind.

However, Africans have also made significant contributions, with legends like Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o, and George Weah leaving a lasting impact on European football history.

Today, players like Victor Osimhen and Mohamed Salah continue to carry the torch for African goal-scorers. Sports Brief explores the top 10 marksmen in Europe's top five leagues.

Who are the top 10 African goal scorers in Europe?

10. Nicolas Jackson - 10 goals

Surprised Jackson is on the list? Well, the Senegal international has come under a lot of scrutiny for his profligacy in front of goal, and it's understandable his name might raise a few eyebrows, but he is on this list based on merit.

While netting 10 goals in his debut Premier League campaign with Chelsea, the ex-Villarreal player could have capitalised on more opportunities.

To put it in perspective, Jackson has only converted 32% of his 'big' chances this season, placing him 25th out of 26 players across Europe's major leagues with at least 30 shots in all competitions, per ESPN.

9. Yoane Wissa - 10 goals

The DR Congo striker often flies under the radar, possibly because he isn't with one of Europe's top clubs. However, Wissa has been a consistent presence for Brentford since joining the West London side in the 2021–22 season.

Despite his almost one-month absence due to the 2023 AFCON, the 27-year-old is enjoying his most prolific goal-scoring season yet in the Premier League, having netted 10 times.

8. Terem Moffi - 10 goals

The first of three Nigerians on this list, Terem Moffi has highlighted the depth of striking qualities the Super Eagles boast on their roster.

Although not as renowned as the Victor pair (Boniface and Osimhen), the 24-year-old forward is making a name for himself in Ligue 1.

With 10 goals and two assists in 25 appearances for OGC Nice this season, Moffi proves to be a valuable asset in front of goal and could appear on the radar of some top European clubs in the summer transfer window.

7. Youssef En Neysri - 11 goals

A serial goal-scorer, En-Neysri, who has spent the entirety of his football career in Spain, holds the enviable record of the highest-scoring Moroccan player in La Liga's history.

This season, he has already surpassed his goal tally from the previous two seasons, netting 11 times in 26 games.

With six matches remaining, it's entirely plausible for him to match or exceed his best-ever goal-scoring record of 18 goals, achieved in the 2020–21 season.

6. Omar Mamoush - 11 goals

Dubbed the new 'Mohamed Salah', Omar Mamoush is making waves in the Bundesliga. Unlike his illustrious compatriot, the Egyptian forward is right-footed but does everything Salah does.

This season, he has notched an impressive total of 11 goals and provided six assists for Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Eintracht Frankfurt star, who has appeared on the radar of some of Europe's big clubs, ended his seven-game goal drought, scoring in his side's 3-1 win against Augsburg.

5. Victor Boniface - 11 goals

The Nigerian powerhouse played a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen's historic Bundesliga triumph, marking their first-ever league title in 120 years.

Jose Riveiro: Orlando Pirates Coach Responds to Criticism Amidst Team’s Goal Scoring Spree

Football

Despite missing 11 games, Boniface is the club's joint top scorer in the Bundesliga alongside Florian Wirtz, with 11 goals. Additionally, he boasts nine assists from his 19 appearances, highlighting his significant impact on the team's success, per Transfermarkt.

4. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 12 goals

At 34 years old, the Gabonese forward, now with Olympique Marseille, defies the notion that age defines performance.

Despite his age, Aubameyang has scored an impressive 12 goals in the French Ligue 1, placing him among the top goal-scorers alongside Kylian Mbappe, Jonathan David, and his former Arsenal teammate Alexander Lacazette.

3. Victor Osimhen - 13 goals

Undoubtedly the standout African player in Europe last season, Osimhen rightfully secured the CAF African Footballer of the Year award for leading Napoli to their first Scudetto in over three decades.

Additionally, he made history as the first African player to claim the Serie A top scorer title with 26 goals. Despite facing challenges this season, he remains a consistent goal contributor.

With 13 goals from 21 matches, averaging 0.62 goals per game, the Nigerian striker will hope to add to his tally before the season ends.

2. Mohamed Salah - 17 goals

By far the best player at Liverpool this season, Salah has been a beacon of consistency amid his side's struggles, especially at the tail end of the season.

The two-time African Best Player's 17 goals have been a bright spot for the Reds, whose hopes of a historic quadruple have crumbled into what looks like an elusive double but is plausibly just a single silverware.

Nonetheless, his goal tally places him among the top African scorers in Europe's major leagues.

1. Serhou Guirassy - 25 goals

The Guinean has been breaking records for fun in the German Bundesliga this season. Despite not performing at his peak during the AFCON, he continues to dominate in Europe.

With an impressive 25 goals, he stands as the most prolific African footballer on the continent. With four games remaining, he has the opportunity to enhance his tally further.

To provide context, only Harry Kane has outscored him in Germany, and in other major European leagues like England, France, Italy, and Spain, he would have been the leading scorer.

Top 5 contenders for CAF POTY