Football across African domestic leagues may lag behind European leagues in organisational efficiency, financial strength and overall quality, but African players are indispensable assets to the exponential growth of the European football economy.

Recently, footballers of African heritage have played pivotal roles in European national teams. Over 50 players of African descent featured in Euro 2024, with eight making it to the final between Spain and England. 

While the perception of these players as Africans may hold little relevance, those representing their respective African nations are also making their mark on the grandest football stage. Of the 628 players at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire, over 140 ply their trade in Europe’s top five leagues, per CAFOnline.

Gone are the days when African players struggled for relevance in Europe’s top clubs. The narrative has shifted, with a growing number of African stars excelling at the highest levels. 

From Morocco’s Brahim Díaz at Real Madrid to Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, Senegal’s Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea, Morocco’s Noussair Mazraoui and Cameroon’s André Onana at Manchester United, Achraf Hakimi at Paris Saint-Germain, and Ghana’s Thomas Partey at Arsenal, African players are thriving at football’s pinnacle.

For the ongoing 2024/25 season, here are five African stars who are genuine contenders for top-scorer accolades in their respective leagues.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, EPL)

So far in the 2024/25 season, Egypt’s captain Mohammed Salah has been the most prolific forward globally. The former Roma winger currently leads the English Premier League (EPL) scorer chart with 18 goals and 13 assists in 18 games for Liverpool.

As noted by Yahoo Sports, Salah’s tally makes him the first EPL player to hit double figures in goals and assists before Christmas. The 32-year-old is poised to be crowned the 2024/25 EPL top scorer, though Manchester City’s Erling Haaland remains a viable threat. Since joining City in the summer of 2022, Haaland has won the  Golden Boot consecutively, but the Norwegian striker was briefly affected by The Citizens’ dip in form, placing him second behind Salah in the race with 16 goals.

Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who have scored 15 and 14 goals respectively are also in the mix to catch up with Salah.

Tolu Arokodare (Genk, Belgian Pro League)

With 13 goals for Genk so far this season, Nigeria’s Tolu Arokodare is leading the Belgian Pro League scoring chart. 

While Anderlecht’s Kasper Dolberg is hot on his heels with 12 goals, the Nigerian-born striker is expected to keep firing on all cylinders, as his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles camp hinges on his consistency — given the abundance of striking options the three-time African champions possess.

Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt, Bundesliga)

Bundesliga sensation Omar Marmoush ranks as the second African footballer with the most goals this season. The Egyptian forward has scored 15 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt, just one shy of the prolific Harry Kane, who leads with 16 goals for Bayern Munich.

Marmoush also boasts the highest number of goal contributions (24) in the Bundesliga this season, with nine assists in 17 matches. However, his biggest hindrance to claiming the top scorer title is not Kane but his imminent move to the EPL, where champions Manchester City are interested in securing his services in the ongoing mid-season transfer window. 

Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford, EPL)

Brentford’s striker Bryan Mbeumo has a long shot at finishing this Premier League season as the top scorer. Having scored 13 goals so far, the Cameroonian faces stiff competition, with Salah’s blazing form and the likes of Haaland, Palmer, and Isak lurking in the background.

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Süper Lig)

Following a rocky start to the season due to a prolonged transfer saga sparked by issues with his parent club Napoli, Victor Osimhen’s chances of having a great club season seemed slim. However, the quality of the 2023 CAF Player of the Year has shone through in the Süper Lig, where he has found a temporary home with Galatasaray.

In just 14 league matches, Osimhen has netted 11 goals. He trails leading scorer Krzysztof Piatek, who has 13 goals in 18 appearances, and Simon Banza, with 12 goals in 15 matches.