For decades, the Africa Cup of Nations has been more than just a continental tournament it has been a carnival of attacking football and unforgettable goal-rich encounters.

Since its first edition in 1957, AFCON has delivered games that left fans breathless, defences in tatters and goalkeepers scrambling, producing some of the most thrilling contests in African sport.

These high-scoring matches are more than statistics they are pivotal moments where footballing legends emerged, tactical masterclasses were painted in goals and teams stamped their mark on AFCON history.

From standout individual performances to collective attacking onslaughts, here’s a look at some of the most prolific goal-filled games ever seen in Africa’s biggest football festival.

The legendary nine-goal game — Egypt 6–3 Nigeria (1963)

One of AFCON’s most extraordinary scorelines came in 1963 when Egypt and Nigeria combined for an incredible nine goals.

The Pharaohs dismantled the Super Eagles with relentless offensive play, mastering both movement and finishing to claim a 6–3 win.

The match remains the highest-scoring game in the tournament’s history, embodying the early flair and open play that characterised African football in its formative years. It set a defining standard for goal-heavy encounters to follow.

Pokou’s incredible five-goal haul — Ivory Coast 6–1 Ethiopia (1970)

Few individual performances match the sheer brilliance shown by Laurent Pokou in 1970. In Ivory Coast’s dominant 6–1 win over Ethiopia, Pokou scored an astonishing five goals, repeatedly leaving defenders in his wake with blistering runs and clinical strikes.

That remarkable display not only sealed a historic victory but also underscored Pokou’s reputation as one of Africa’s most feared forwards a legacy that still resonates with fans today.

A final to remember — Congo 3–2 Mali (1972)

The 1972 AFCON final saw Congo and Mali deliver one of the tournament’s most exciting title deciders. After Mali drew first blood, Congo responded with three goals two from Jean-Michel M’bono and a decisive strike by François M’Pelé before a late Traoré effort gave Mali a consolation.

This tactical yet high-scoring final highlighted the drama and unpredictability of AFCON deciders, proving that goals, not just grit, win tournaments.

Cameroon’s Statement Win — Cameroon 5–2 Zaire (1972)

In the same tournament, Cameroon showcased its emerging attacking strength with a resounding 5–2 victory over Zaire in the third-place playoff.

The Indomitable Lions, eager to rebound from semifinal disappointment, poured forward with intent, cementing their attacking identity and hinting at the continental dominance they would build in years to come.

Madjer’s magic — Algeria 5–1 Nigeria (1990)

The 1990 edition saw Algeria put on an unforgettable attacking display against Nigeria. Led by the inspired Rabah Madjer, who scored twice, Algeria exploited defensive weaknesses with a flurry of goals to secure a commanding 5–1 win.

Even a brilliant effort from Jay-Jay Okocha couldn’t dim Algeria’s dazzling performance, which remains one of the most memorable attacking exhibits in AFCON lore.

Eight Goals of Excitement — Cameroon 5–3 Zimbabwe (2004)

In one of AFCON’s most entertaining matches, Cameroon overcame Zimbabwe 5–3 in 2004. Zimbabwe struck first, but Cameroon responded with a series of goals, notably from Patrick Mboma and Modeste M’Bami, to wrest back the initiative.

The back-and-forth nature of this contest made it an instant classic, capturing the drama and unpredictability that characterises Africa’s football showpiece.

Pharaohs on parade — Egypt 4–2 Cameroon (2008)

During one of their golden eras, Egypt announced themselves emphatically with a 4–2 win over Cameroon in the 2008 AFCON group stage.

Mohamed Zidan’s brace and Hosni Abd Rabo’s goal helped the Pharaohs control the game, despite a spirited fightback from Samuel Eto’o and Cameroon.

The result set the tone for Egypt’s dominant tournament campaign, highlighting their attacking depth and finishing quality against top competition.

Drama and late surges — Angola 4–4 Mali (2010)

The 2010 clash between Angola and Mali delivered one of AFCON’s wildest finishes. Angola raced ahead with early goals, only for Mali to mount a dramatic comeback.

Amado Flavio and Seydou Keita both scored braces in a game that epitomised attacking football at its most thrilling.

A thrilling eight-goal stalemate, this match remains a fan favourite and one of the tournament’s most dramatic high-scoring draws.

Recent Classics — Comoros, Equatorial Guinea & Angola in AFCON 2021 & 2023

The recent editions of AFCON have continued the tradition of attacking fireworks:

• Comoros stunned Ghana 3–2 in a spirited win that captured global attention.
• Equatorial Guinea beat Guinea-Bissau 4–2, powered by a hat-trick from Emilio Nsue that earned him the tournament’s Golden Boot.
• Angola rallied to beat Mauritania 3–2 with a crucial Dala brace in a rollercoaster encounter.

These recent thrillers show that AFCON’s flair and unpredictability remain undiminished.

Legends and legacy

Across the decades, a handful of players and teams have defined AFCON’s attacking identity. Samuel Eto’o stands as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, with 18 goals, while Pokou’s record-setting five goals in a single match remains unmatched.

Egypt sits atop the all-time goalscoring charts with 175 goals, followed by Ivory Coast and other traditional powers, a testament to sustained offensive excellence.

From classic nine-goal thrillers to recent dramatic comebacks, the Africa Cup of Nations has never lacked excitement, especially in front of goal.

These matches are more than numbers they capture the heart of African football: fearless, passionate and endlessly entertaining.

Whether through individual brilliance or collective onslaughts, AFCON’s goal fests continue to enthral fans and inspire future generations of footballers.