The summer exodus of Europe’s stars to Asia, particularly to Saudi Arabia, was not shy of Africa’s elite. Notably, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, Fashion Sakala, and Eduoard Mendy all ditched European football to grace the Saudi Pro League.
BolaNews delves into the list of African stars who contributed to the most goals in the 2023–24 AFC Championship League Group Stage (Most Goals + Assists).
Soufiane Rahimi (Morocco): 6 (4 Goals, 2 Assists)
The Moroccan forward was instrumental in Al-Ain’s dominance in Group A, which saw them collect 15 points from the possible 18 to top the standings. Having not made an appearance for Morocco since the previous AFCON, Rahimi will be banking on his AFC Champions League form to get him into the Atlas Lions squad for Ivory Coast 2024.
Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba (Togo): 6 (5 Goals, 1 Assist)
No African player scored more goals in the 2023–24 AFC Champions League Group Stage than the Togolese. His brace in a 3-2 win at Al Fayha last month sent United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain to the knockout stage of the competition.
Fahion Sakala (Zambia): 5 (3 Goals, 2 Assists)
Just two matchdays ago, Al-Fayha were on the brink of elimination from the AFC Champions League, sitting bottom of Group A. And their talisman, Fashion Sakala, responded by scoring a goal and providing an assist in a 3-1 win over Ahal on Matchday 5. The Chipolopolo star came up with more heroics on the final matchday as he scored a brace and set up a goal against Pakhtakor in a 4-1 comeback victory. He propelled Al Fayha to their first-ever AFC Champions League knockout stage.
Michael Olunga (Kenya): 5 (4 Goals, 1 Assist)
Fashion Sakala and Al Fayha will be grateful to Michael Olunga and Al Duhail for condemning Persepolis to a 2-1 defeat in the final group match. Persepolis, who were runners up in Group E, were looking to finish on more points than Al Fayha as a best runners-up team before Al Dubail defeated them. Meanwhile, despite Al Duhail’s failure to progress, Kenya’s Olunga will be proud to have finished with more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo in Group E.
Abdezzarak Hamdallah (Morocco): 5 (3 Goals, 2 Assists)
Karim Benzema may have taken his place as Al Attihad’s number 9, but Moroccan striker Abderrazak has been the standout player for his side in the AFC Champions League. His contributions helped the Saudi Arabian champions storm to the knockout stage with 15 points from six matches.
