A teenage goal in AFCON carries special importance. Many players who score at a young age go on to play for top clubs in Europe and become key figures for their national teams. AFCON has produced several of the youngest goalscorers in international football history. These players broke records by scoring while still in their teens, often against experienced defenders.
Better football academies in countries like Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Morocco have helped more teenagers reach senior level earlier. This has increased the number of young goalscorers in AFCON.
By 2026, new players continue to challenge old records, making the list of youngest AFCON goalscorers more competitive and always changing.
Youngest Goalscorers in AFCON History (Full List)
Shiva N’Zigou (Gabon)
Shiva N’Zigou from Gabon is known as one of the youngest goalscorers in Africa Cup of Nations history. He played at AFCON 2000 in Ghana and Nigeria as a forward for Gabon. He scored against South Africa in a group stage match. The goal came during a fast attack inside the penalty area. It gave Gabon an early lead, but the team later lost 3–1.
He was reported to be 16 years old at the time of the goal. This made him one of the youngest players to score in the tournament. His pace and positioning helped him finish the chance quickly in front of goal.
After AFCON 2000, N’Zigou continued his career in Europe. He joined FC Nantes in France and played in domestic leagues. He also played for clubs like Gueugnon and Reims. Shiva did not become a regular player in top European football, but he gained experience in lower divisions in France and Belgium.
Later, questions came up about his real age, which affected how people view his record. Even with this issue, his AFCON goal still appears in official tournament records. His career shows early promise, followed by a steady but less visible path in club football.
Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria)
Samuel Chukwueze is a Nigerian winger who made headlines at the Africa Cup of Nations 2019. He became one of the youngest players to score in the tournament. His goal showed speed, control, and strong finishing in an important match.
Nigeria played South Africa in the quarter-final. Chukwueze scored the first goal for Nigeria. He was 20 years and 49 days old. He ran into space inside the penalty area and finished with a clean shot. The goal gave Nigeria control of the match early and helped the team move closer to victory.
Afterwards, he continued his career at Villarreal in Spain. He improved his dribbling, passing, and attacking movement. He became a regular player for club and country. Coaches trusted him in important matches because of his pace and direct style.
His AFCON goal increased his reputation in African football. It also showed his ability to perform under pressure. He stayed consistent and worked on his game at a higher level in Europe. He continues to play for Nigeria and aims to score more goals in international tournaments.
Ahmed Musa (Nigeria)
Ahmed Musa ranks among the youngest goalscorers in Africa Cup of Nations history for Nigeria. He played in the 2013 AFCON tournament in South Africa and made a strong impact at a young age. AFCON has produced several young scorers, but Musa stands out because he scored in a knockout match.
Firstly, Musa played for Nigeria and scored his first AFCON goal against Mali in the 2013 semi final. He came on as a substitute and finished a clear chance inside the penalty box. He was about 20 years old at the time.
Afterwards, Musa became an important player for Nigeria. He played in major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and became a regular starter. At club level, he played for CSKA Moscow, Leicester City, Al Nassr, and later returned to Kano Pillars in Nigeria. He built a long international career with steady performances.
AFCON history includes other young scorers, but Musa remains one of the most known modern examples. His goal in 2013 helped Nigeria reach the final and raised his profile in world football. He used pace, positioning, and confidence to perform under pressure. His career shows clear growth from young talent to senior national team player. Today, he still plays a role in Nigerian football and inspires young African attackers who aim to succeed early in major tournaments.
Hassan El-Shazly (Egypt)
Hassan El-Shazly played for Egypt and became one of the early Africa Cup of Nations goalscorers. He took part in the 1963 AFCON in Ghana and scored as a teenager for the national team.
He was born in 1943 and was about 19 to 20 years old during the 1963 Africa Cup of Nations. Hassan scored against Ghana in a group match that ended 6–3 for Egypt. He finished from close range during open play after quick team attacks. Egypt used fast passing to break Ghana’s defence, and he reacted quickly inside the box to convert the chance.
Hassan played as a striker and focused on positioning in the penalty area. He moved into space and finished chances with few touches. He relied on timing and awareness instead of long shots or complex skills. His goals came mainly from short-range finishes inside the box.
After the tournament, he continued his career with Tersana in Egypt. He became a top scorer for the club and stayed a key player for many seasons. He also played for Egypt for several years after 1963. Hassan finished his career with a strong scoring record and remains known as one of Egypt’s most effective early forwards in international football.
Kelechi Iheanacho (Nigeria)
Kelechi Iheanacho is a Nigerian forward who plays for the Super Eagles. He scored his early senior international goals during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification matches. He was about 18 years old at the time, making him one of the youngest Nigerian players to score in AFCON-related competition.
Iheanacho played for Nigeria in qualifiers against Tanzania and Zambia. The tournament edition linked to these matches was the 2017 AFCON cycle. Iheanacho started as a striker and also played as an attacking midfielder.
He scored against Tanzania in Uyo, Nigeria. He also scored against Zambia in Ndola during an away match.
After his AFCON qualification breakthrough, he moved to Manchester City and later joined Leicester City. He developed in the Premier League and gained more experience against top teams. He continued to represent Nigeria in AFCON tournaments and World Cup qualifiers.