Africa’s Greatest Goal Scorers: Legends Who Made History
3 min read
How many goals has Mohamed Salah scored with the Egyptian national team?
African football has produced some of the most iconic players in the world. When we think of the continent’s footballing heroes, names like Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, George Weah, Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez, and Sadio Mane quickly come to mind. These stars have dazzled on the global stage, but surprisingly, none of them sit atop the list of Africa’s all-time leading goal scorers at the national team level.
Only seven players in the rich history of African football have achieved the remarkable feat of scoring 50 or more goals for their national teams. Among them, Egypt stands out as the only country represented by two players: Hossam Hassan and Mohamed Salah.
Who Tops the List?
At the top of the rankings is Zambian legend Godfrey Chitalu, who scored an incredible 79 goals in 111 international matches.

In second place is Malawian star Kinnah Phiri, who netted 71 goals in 117 matches for his national team, solidifying his legacy as one of Africa’s greatest strikers.

The third spot is occupied by Egypt’s Hossam Hassan, a true icon of African football, who scored 68 goals in 176 international appearances for his country.
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In fourth place is Ivorian legend Didier Drogba, who tallied 65 goals in just 105 matches for Côte d’Ivoire, cementing his place as one of the continent’s most iconic players.
How many goals has Mohamed Salah scored with the Egyptian national team?
Fifth on the list is Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah, who has scored 59 goals in 103 matches so far, with his career still ongoing and his numbers expected to rise in the coming years.
Mohamed Salah is the only player who continues to play among the top 7 players with his national team in Africa.
In sixth place is Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o, who netted 56 goals in 118 international games, making him one of the most decorated players in African history.
Finally, Ghanaian star Asamoah Gyan completes the list, having scored 51 goals in 109 appearances for his national team, earning his place among Africa’s elite goal scorers.
Exceptional Achievements
What sets Godfrey Chitalu and Kinnah Phiri apart is that they are the only two African players to score 10 or more goals in four different years, showcasing remarkable consistency over time.
Kinnah Phiri scored 18 goals in 1975, followed by 13 goals in 1976, 12 goals in 1977, and 16 goals in 1978.
Godfrey Chitalu scored 12 goals in 1968, then 11 goals in 1977, 17 goals in 1978, and 12 goals in 1980.
These incredible numbers demonstrate that these players were not just prolific scorers but also enduring legends who left an indelible mark on African football and inspired generations to come.