The 2026-27 season is only in its opening weeks, but Vasteras SK attacking midfielder Axel Sountonoma Taonsa has already moved to the top of the African goalscorers’ standings in Europe.
The Ivorian-Burkinabe player has scored six goals in Sweden as of 26 August, giving him an early lead in a ranking that includes African players competing across Europe’s 15 highest-ranked domestic leagues.
There have already been several notable performances from players outside the continent’s most prominent leagues. Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has made an impressive start in Turkey, scoring four goals in his first two league matches. Mohamed Salah has also found the net twice since joining his new club Trabzonspor.
The standings include an early surprise in the form of Algerian right-back Kevin Guitoun, who has scored twice for Charleroi in Belgium. His attacking contribution has made him one of the unexpected names to emerge at the start of the campaign.
Guinean defender Mohamed Soumah is another player attracting attention. The Sirius centre-back has made an impact in Sweden despite playing well away from the traditional position associated with the leading goalscorers in the list.
Nigerian forward Rafiu Durosinmi is fourth with three goals. The 23-year-old joined Genk from Pisa during the summer and has scored in each of his first three Belgian league appearances.
Leandro Sanca has also scored three times. The 26-year-old Guinea-Bissau international has played for Piast Gliwice in Poland since 2025.
Sierra Leone winger Momoh Ibrahim Kamara completes the group of early-season surprises with three goals and four assists in the Allsvenskan. The 21-year-old has established himself on the right wing for Elfsborg.
The ranking also considers players in the so-called Big Five leagues when relevant. Those competitions are Ligue 1, the Premier League, La Liga, the Bundesliga and Serie A.
Among players limited to the Big Five, Algeria international Amine Gouiri leads the early scoring charts with two goals. He reached that total by scoring twice for OM against Strasbourg.
Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also scored twice for his new club La Corogne. He was Gouiri’s team-mate last season.
Afrik-Foot’s wider ranking covers the 15 European leagues placed highest by the UEFA coefficient: Ligue 1, the Premier League, La Liga, the Bundesliga, Serie A, Liga Portugal, the Eredivisie, the Super Lig, the Jupiler Pro League, the Scottish Premiership, the Swiss Super League, the Greek Super League, the Danish Superliga, the Polish Ekstraklasa and Sweden’s Allsvenskan.
Only African players competing in those leagues are included. Goals scored in European competitions are also counted when the players involved are taking part in continental matches.
Last season, in 2025-26, Victor Osimhen finished level with Nigeria team-mate Paul Onuachu of Trabzonspor at the top of the overall African scoring chart in Europe. Both players scored 22 goals across domestic leagues and European competitions.
When the focus is restricted to the Big Five, Borussia Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy was the leading African scorer, with 21 goals for the German club in league and European matches.
Looking only at domestic league goals, Guirassy shared first place with Ghana and Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo. Both players scored 17 times in their respective leagues.
By Romain Lantheaume
“I fell in love with African football through Didier Drogba, then discovered Afrik-Foot in 2013. Since then, we have never been apart.”
