Nigeria international Odion Ighalo is the man to beat to the top scorer award as the African Cup of Nations enters its final round.
The Super Eagles are billed to meet Tunisia in the third place match, a game that should afford the forward the chance to claim the golden boot award.
Will Odion Ighalo be the highest goal scorer at the end of #AFCON2019 ?
If no, who will? pic.twitter.com/DnxRiskl6N
— DStv Nigeria (@DStvNg) July 16, 2019
The former Watford striker has already registered four goals in the tournament and sits solely atop the goalscorers chart.
Ighalo came off the bench, in Nigeria’s first game against Burundi, and banged in a late winner off a deliciously sleek Ola Aina back heeled assist.
Ola Aina and Odion Ighalo combined on match-day one of the #TotalAFCON2019 to steal the spotlight and score a sublime goal. Nobody does it like the #SuperEagles pic.twitter.com/WTvwmLCeio
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) June 26, 2019
He then scored twice in Nigeria’s come-from-behind win over Cameroon. The first was a pure poacher’s strike, reacting fastest to a loose ball in a crowded box to slam a first time shot past Andre Onana in Cameroon’s goal.
The second was a beautiful team goal. He collected a fine chested pass from Ahmed Musa and placed his shot beyond the keeper’s reach.
Ighalo's second goal for Nigeria #NGACMR pic.twitter.com/Bp3kwo2zIu
— #NFFCSHOW #FANSWEYSABI #football (@NFFCshow) July 6, 2019
The 30-year-old then got his fourth goal against Algeria, sending M’Bolhi the wrong way from the penalty spot to restore parity in the semifinal game.
Issa goal from Ighalo #ALGNGA pic.twitter.com/EScddJu0K9
— Canty Lesar (@LesarCanty) July 14, 2019
Other players in the hunt for the top scorer gong include Senegal’s Sadio Mane, Algeria duo of Riyadh Mahrez and Adam Ounas who have 3 goals each.
Also on 3 goals is Cedric Bakambu but his Congolese side have since been sent packing from the AFCON.
Algeria’s Youcef Belaili currently on two goals retains hope with an outside chance.
It would be recalled that the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Segun Odegbami and Austin Jay Jay Okocha have all won the highly rated award in the green and white colours of Nigeria.
There have been 100 goals scored in the 50 matches played so far, for an average of 2 goals per match.
