Ighalo wins AFCON Golden Boot with five goals

Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo has emerged the top scorer of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after scoring five goals in the tournament.

He becomes the second Nigerian to win the AFCON Golden Boot after Rashidi Yekini of blessed memory.

The China-based Nigerian star opened his scoring in Nigeria’s opening game against Burundi when he came in as a substitute and scored the only goal of the encounter.

Ighalo bagged a brace in the round of 16 against defending champions, Cameroon as Nigeria sealed a 3-2 victory to advance.

The striker did not stop there. His penalty against the Desert Foxes of Algeria was not enough to see Nigeria through to the final, but it increased his goals tally.

To wrap a fantastic outing with the Super Eagles, Ighalo scored an early goal in the third-place playoff to secure victory for Nigeria against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

Read Also: Desert Foxes of Algeria beat Senegal to emerge champions of Africa

Senegal’s Sadio Mane, Morocco forward, Adam Ounas, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez and Cederic Bakambu of Congo Democratic Republic all scored three goals each.

30-year-old Ighalo, who has reportedly retired from the national team, was also the highest goal scorer in the qualifiers of this competition with seven goals.

Meanwhile, Algeria have emerged champions of the 2019 AFCON after beating Senegal 1-0 in the final on Friday night.

Algeria’s Ismaël Bennacer wwas awarded the Most Valuable Player of the competition.

The former Arsenal youth player is currently at Empoli, but is set to sign for AC Milan this summer.

He was also named the young best player of the tournament.

Also, Algeria goalkeeper, Adrais Cobos Mbolhi was named the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

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