Akaichi tops the IFFHS list alongside three other scorers
The first IFFHS list of goalscorers in 2016 opened with a clear message: at the start of this international season, the map of goals runs through Africa and stops over in Asia. Tunisia’s Ahmed Akaichi shares top spot with Nigeria’s Chisom Chikatara, Congo’s Meschak Elia and Brazil’s Adriano, all on four goals.
Four names at the top, two continents in the spotlight
The sample counts goals scored in international competitions from the main stages onwards, excluding the preliminary rounds of continental club tournaments and the first phase of the Copa Libertadores. Within those terms, Akaichi, Chikatara and Meschak Elia built their lead at the 2016 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament that traditionally opens space for forwards less exposed to the big European circuit.
Alongside them is Adriano, the Brazilian at FC Seoul, propelled by the AFC Champions League. It is a shared lead, but nothing about it is accidental. The four names reflect a start to the year in which the African and Asian calendars offered more decisive matches and, therefore, more chances to score early.
The numbers reinforce Africa’s weight
In all, 49 players scored two goals or more in this first survey. The distribution stands out: 17 Africans, 11 Europeans, 10 South Americans, seven Asians and four players from CONCACAF. The figures underline how January and February, months when Europe still splits its focus between domestic leagues and knockout ties in their early stages, can open a window for other regions to dominate the international scoring charts.
By country, Argentina placed the most players on the list with four, ahead of Spain and Brazil, both on three. By club continent, Europe and Africa are level with 15 players each, while Asia has 11. South America and CONCACAF contribute four representatives apiece. It is a less obvious portrait of global football. And for that very reason a more interesting one.
Traditional clubs and alternative shop windows
Among the teams, Spanish clubs lead in the number of players listed with four, followed by sides from the Democratic Republic of the Congo with three. Manchester United, Valencia CF, TP Mazembe, Coton Sport Garoua and Johor Darul Ta’zim each have two players, a sign that international scoring at the start of 2016 was not concentrated solely in the most predictable powers.
In practice, this first IFFHS list is still far from settling the race for the year, but it works as a thermometer. It shows who started hot, which tournaments are inflating the contest and how markets outside the main axis keep producing decisive forwards. For now the lead is African, with a Brazilian riding along. The rest of the world is chasing.
