The Group stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Egypt had a total of fifty-eight (68) goals scored in thirty-six (36) matches with 11 players scoring 2 goals apiece.

On Tuesday, the group stage of the competition reached its climax and already, 16 teams are through to the knockout phase.

Though the tournament has so far been a low scoring one, players of respective countries have hustled to bang in goals in a bid to lead their individual nations to glory. No footballer from the 24 African countries has been able to score more than two goals in the group stage.

Busybuddiesng takes a look at the highest scorers in this year’s AFCON even as the knockout stages draw by.

Highest Goal Scorers in AFCON 2019 Group Stage

Ahmed Elmohamady – 2 goals

The Egyptian midfielder has really come of age and he doesn’t look like he’s getting any less active. His first AFCON was on home soil in 2010, when Egypt hosted and won it.

He contributed a goal and two assists to the pharaoh’s triumph. Nine Years later, the Aston Villa midfielder already finds him in contention for the golden boot award.

Both of his goals have come during the first half against Uganda and DR Congo.

Mohamed Salah -2 goals

The Liverpool attacker has brought his form from last season into the tournament. Having scored 38 goals in all competition for the reds last season, and also winning the EPL golden boot award, much had been expected of him heading into this year’s showpiece.

 Two goals in three games may not be a bad return for the former Chelsea winger, but it may just be too early to compare his international form with his club form, perhaps he’s saving the goals for the knockout stage of the competition.

Charles Carolus Andriamatsinoro – 2 goals

One of the unknown names on the scorers chat, Andria plies his trade with Ohod FC in Saudi Arabia. He scored his nation’s second goal in their first ever AFCON match against Guinea but that wouldn’t mean much as it Guinea equalized some minutes after.

His second came against a higher ranked Nigerian side as his free kick in the 53rd minute was deflected by the wall into goal. With his team topping group B, Andria would want to add more goals to his tally of 2 goals and 1 assist as his nation aims for African glory.

Sadio Mane – 2 goals

Widely tipped as one of the players to watch in Egypt, Mane missed Senegal’s first match against Tanzania due to accumulation of cards in the qualifiers. He made his first appearance against Algeria in a game the North Africans won by a lone goal and he was also denied a penalty in that match.

The Liverpool forward who was a joint golden boot winner in EPL last season silenced his critics with 2 goals in the space of seven minutes in Senegal’s final group game against Kenya. A fierce strike from the edge of the box to the bottom right corner, and a penalty was just enough to see the West African side advance to the knockout stages.

Jordan Ayew – 2 goals

Younger brother to Andre, Jordan is currently in the books of Crystal Palace and he finished last season with just a goal in 20 appearances for The Eagles. His first goal of the tournament came in the 42nd minute in their first group game against Benin whilst his second came in a more beautiful way, an individual effort that saw him drive past Guinea Bissau defense before rifling his shot into the top right corner, much to the dismay of the on-looking Goalkeeper Jonas Mendes.

With his team already making it to the knockout stages, Jordan will want to keep scoring to lead Ghana to yet another title.

Cédric Bakambu – 2 goals

The Congolese striker plies his trade in China with Beijing Guoan and scored 7 goals in 10 matches heading into this tournament. A 0-2 loss to Uganda and Egypt respectively, meant DR Congo would need some sort of miracle in their last group game against Zimbabwe to ensure qualification to the next round. That truly happened as The leopards pounced on their opponents with a convincing 4-nil victory. Bekambu scored in the 34th minute and also converted a penalty kick in the 65th minute to rise to the Apex of the scorers’ chart.

Other players with on the 2-goals chart include;

Adam Ounas (Algeria)

The Algerian midfielder recovered just on time to be selected by Djamel Belmadi. He sat out the first two games which Algeria won. He was handed a starting berth in the last group game against Tanzania and he duly delivered with 2 goals and 1 assist, a man of the match performance from the 22-year-old former Bordeaux player. As Algeria would be gearing up to face Guinea in the round of 16, Adam will want to score more to ensure the trophy goes home with the desert foxes.

Emmanuel Okwi (Uganda)

Okwi announced himself to the whole of Africa with a goal that sealed the victory for Uganda in their first group game against higher ranked DR Congo. He followed that up with another goal against Zimbabwe in their next game as he was just at the right place at the right time to tap in a rebound. The Simba SC forward may not just be done yet and you’d be sure to expect more from the 26-year-old.

Michael Olunga (Kenya)

Olunga scored two goals in Kenya’s 3-2 win over Tanzania, one of those sealed the win and 3pts for the Harambee Stars. The FC Kashiwa of Japan striker is known for having fast feet and great sight on goal but this tournament has seen the last of his appearance as Kenya couldn’t make it to the knockout stages the competition.

Mickael Pote (Benin)

Currently credited with the fastest goal in this year’s showpiece, Pote stung the heart of Ghanaians with a goal in the opening 2 minutes. The black stars fought back and eventually took the lead in the first half of that encounter, but Pote was on hand again with a 63rd-minute equalizer. Currently playing for Adana Demirspor in the Turkish lower division, Pote will have to score more for his country considering the fact that he’s the only one with goals for them in this tournament.

Mohamed Yattara (Guinea)

The Auxerre forward scored both goals in Guinea’s 2-0 win over Burundi in their last group game. One goal in each half to ensure Burundi ended their maiden appearance in the AFCON ended without a point. Already pitched against the desert foxes of Algeria, Guinea may just need the services of Yattara to eliminate the Northern Africans.