Onuachu, Haller, Dessers: Six African strikers currently shining in European leagues

With the top divisions in Europe nearing the end, we sample leading marksmen from the continent who have been in impressive form

As the European leagues near conclusion, a number of African strikers are either in contention for the Golden Boot in their respective divisions or leading the scoring charts.

GOAL looks at six African strikers who have been the shining lights for their club and league in the 2021-22 season.

Sebastien Haller

The Ivory Coast international is head and shoulders above the rest in the race for the Dutch Eredivisie Golden Boot as he leads the scoring charts with 21 goals, five ahead of closest challenger Lois Openda of Vitesse Arnhem. The Ajax Amsterdam striker has been a key part of Erik ten Hag’s team which sealed the league title on Wednesday and he has a chance to add onto his tally in the final match of the season against Vitesse on Sunday.

Paul Onuachu

Although not the leading scorer in the Belgium Jupiler Pro League, the Nigerian striker has been pivotal to KRC Genk’s title challenge as he is the club’s leading scorer with 21 goals while being five behind the league’s leader Deniz Undav of Union St Gilloise. Onuachu can increase his tally, while helping Genk inch closer to the title on Sunday, when his side face Gent in a league fixture.

Cyriel Dessers

Just named Feyenoord’s player of the Month for April, the Nigerian international has been too hot to handle, especially in Europe and is the reason the Dutch Eredivisie side are in the Europa Conference League final. Dessers’ 10 goals make him the leading scorer in the competition and the on-loan Genk striker will be crucial if Feyenoord are to lift the trophy against Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma at the Air Albania Stadium on May 25.

Victor Osimhen

Another Nigerian on the list, the Napoli striker is currently the subject of transfer speculation among Europe’s big teams such as Manchester United and Arsenal and for a good reason. Osimhen is Napoli’s top scorer with 17 goals in 30 games across all competitions and the tally could have been more were it not for injuries disrupting his season. He still has the opportunity to reach the 20-goal mark in the final two Serie A games of the season.

Fashion Sakala

With striker Alfredo Morelos in and out of the team due to injuries and suspension, Zambian forward Fashion Sakala has stepped up for Rangers, scoring nine goals while providing three assists in a season where he has started most of the games from the bench. Sakala will play a key part for Rangers in the May 18 Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt given Morelos is out for the rest of the season.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

The Gabon striker is Barcelona’s joint top scorer with 13 goals, alongside Memphis Depay, despite joining the Catalan giants in January. Aubameyang hit the ground running in Barcelona and his goals have been key in helping Xavi’s men qualify for next season’s Uefa Champions League, having looked like they will miss out earlier in the season. Surprisingly, Aubameyang is fourth on Arsenal’s scorers list with seven goals despite playing less than half-a-season for the Gunners.