The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has delivered many top goals from the group stages to the quarter-final stages by some of the best players in the continent. Soccernet.ng’s Augustine Akhilomen picks out 10 of the top goals in Egypt.
Haidara (Mali vs Angola): One of the top goal contenders in the Africa Cup of Nations, Haidara’s sublime 20-yard goal raked through the top corner of the watchful eyes of the Angolan goalkeeper in the group stage game.
Mo Salah (Egypt vs Uganda):
Stood between the ball after the referee awarded Egypt a free-kick few inches from the 18-yard box, Mohamed Salah perfectly hit the ball past the Ugandan’s wall to give the Pharaohs a comfortable lead.
Odion Ighalo (Nigeria vs Burundi):
The brilliant backheel pass from Ola Aina to beat two Burundi defenders met an awaiting Ighalo, who beautiful placed the ball past the goalkeeper to give Nigeria the much needed three points.
Krepin Diatta (Senegal vs Tanzania):
His thunderbolt goal from 25 yards went straight into the net to give Senegal a comfortable two-goal lead against Tanzania.
Abdoulay Diaby (Mali vs Mauritania):
Another sublime goal from the Malian as Diaby struck a direct volley from 20-yard despite being marked by two Mauritania defenders to give Mali their opening goal in their 4-1 win at AFCON group game.
Andre Ayew (Ghana vs Benin):
Gave the Balck Stars of Ghana some element of hope when he dazzled his way past three Benin defenders in the 18-yard box before delivering a low shot that beat the goalkeeper in Ghana’s 2-2 draw against Benin.
Thembinkosi Lorch (South Africa vs Egypt):
Against all odds, the Bafana Bafana of South Africa shocked the continent as the team eliminated host, Egypt out of AFCON thanks to a brilliant counter-attack to set up, Lorch, who calmly converted the ball.
Marco Ilaimaharitra (Madagascar vs Burundi): A well-curled free-kick went straight to the top left corner of Burundi, saw Ilaimaharitra give Madagascar a goal worthy of booking the team’s ticket to the round of 16.
Youcef Belaïli (Algeria vs Senegal):
A beautiful cut-back from Man City star man, Riyad Mahrez found an awaiting Belaili, who hit the ball with power into the net in Algeria’s 1-0 win over Senegal in the group stage.
Serey Dié (Cote d’Ivoire vs Namibia):
Received the ball from a teammate, set the ball properly before lashing on a long-range shot from 30-yard to beat Namibia goalkeeper in Ivory Coast’s 4-1 victory.
