A Bafana Bafana star is among the 11 top goalscorers so far at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 34th edition of the continental tournament has been an absolute treat for spectators, with upsets, big teams being knocked out of the competition at the group stage, enthralling football and some incredible goals.
With 116 yellow and four red cards having already been dished out, fans on the continent have also witnessed some feisty exchanges.
Four penalties have also been awarded, but just two of those were converted.
Despite that, in 36 group stage encounters, 89 goals were scored at a whopping rate of 2.47 goals per match, per Opta Analyst, making this edition of the competition the highest-scoring tournament in 15 years.
Not only does it show that viewers have been entertained, but this AFCON suggests a rise in the quality of football being put on display, because it is the first-ever continental tournament that boasts an average of more than 600 successful passes per game.
In addition to that, seven goals have come from moves that consisted of more than 10 passes leading to the ball ending up in the back of the net, which is already four more than the entirety of the previous competition in Cameroon.
Strikers have also displayed some killer instincts in the penalty area, and it is Equatorial Guinea's Emilio Nsue who tops the scoring chart with five goals despite having an xG (expected goals) of just 2.53, showcasing his clinical nature at the tournament to date. He will have another chance to add to that tally when his nation takes on Guinea in the round of 16 on Sunday.
Bafana's Themba Zwane, meanwhile, is also among the competition's top 11 scorers with two goals, despite having an xG of just 0.53, and will certainly be looking to get more strikes to his name when South Africa go up against Morocco next Tuesday.
Here are AFCON 2023's top scorers so far:
1. Emilio Nsue (Equatorial Guinea): five goals
2. Baghdad Bounedjah (Algeria): three goals
3. Mostafa Mohamed (Egypt): three goals
4. Jordan Ayew (Ghana): two goals
5. Lamine Camara (Senegal): two goals
6. Gelson Dala (Angola): two goals
7. Mohammed Kudus (Ghana): two goals
8. Mabululu Paciencia (Angola): two goals
9. Lassine Sinayoko (Mali): two goals
10. Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso): two goals
11. Themba Zwane (South Africa): two goals
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