AFCON 2019: Ighalo Beat Mahrez, Mane To Win Golden Boot

AFCON 2019: Ighalo Beat Mahrez, Mane To Win Golden Boot

By Sampson Adedeji

Nigeria's Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has emerged highest goalscorer of 2019 African Cup of Nations at first attempt.

Shanghai Shenhua forward netted 5 goals for Nigeria in the just concluded 2019 African Cup of Nations in Egypt and beat off competition from Senegalese forward Sadio Mane and Algeria midfielder Riyad Mahrez.

Both Mane and Mahrez were on 3 goals going into the final but they were unable to add to their 3 goals tally on competition.

Ighalo who had earlier scored 4 goals in the competition scored Nigeria only goal in the victory against CarthageEagles of Tunisia.

The last time Nigeria appeared in the competition in 2013 Emmanuel Emenike emerged highest goals scorer in South Africa.

The Shanghai Shenhua striker finished the tournament with five goals ahead of Riyad Mahrez, Adam Ounas, Cedric Bakambu, and Sadio Mane who all scored three goals respectively.

The 30-year-old, who was also the top scorer in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with seven goals is the now the sixth Nigerian after Segun Odegbami, Rasheed Yekini, Julius Aghaowa, Jay-Jay Okocha & Emmanuel Emenike to win Afcon’s top scorer prize.

Ighalo, who is expected to make a formal announcement about retiring from international football has made 16 strikes in 35 caps for Nigeria so far.