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Three hitmen worth backing for African Cup of Nations top scorer

| 11.01.2017

All eyes are on Gabon this weekend, as the 2017 African Cup of Nations kicks off with the hosts facing first-timers Guinea-Bissau on Saturday afternoon.

That gives Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a chance to open his account and justify his status as the bookies’ favourite to finish as AFCON top scorer. And the 27-year-old is one of Ladbrokes News’ three men to back in this market…

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon, 6/1)

The Borussia Dortmund ace has been prolific for his club side this term, chalking up 20 goals in 22 games in all competitions, to take his total for BvB to 100 goals in just 165 outings.

He’s also been effective for the national side, netting in four of his last eight outings for Les Pantheres, while a prior hat-trick against Niger showed he can rack up the goals against the continent’s lesser lights.

With the hosts also dealt a fairly favourable draw in the group stage, don’t be surprised to see him race ahead in the goalscoring stakes before we even reach the knockouts.

El Arabi Hillel Soudani (Algeria, 16/1)

Having top-scored in qualifying with seven goals, it’s a surprise to see the Dinamo Zagreb ace priced out at joint-tenth in the betting, especially considering the service he’s sure to get at this tournament.

With the creativity of Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani keeping him well supplied with chances, the versatile attacker is just as prolific on the right-wing as he is in a centre-forward or support striker role.

Nine goals in his last eight games for the Desert Warriors is a quite incredible record, while 10 in 17 in the Croatian top-flight for club side Dinamo Zagreb shows he’s doing the business week-in, week-out as well. We reckon he’d still be worth a flutter at half of these odds.

Dieumerci Mbokani (DR Congo, 25/1)

OK, so the Congolese powerhouse hasn’t been in much form for Hull City this season, but it’s a whole different story for the national side, who play to the imposing target man’s strengths.

With five prior goals in the Africa Cup of Nations, the 31-year-old is proven on this stage, while his well-taken double against Libya in the latter part of 2016 showed he’s still got the quality to hurt sides.

Having netted 16 times in 31 outings for the Leopards, and with prior success on the big stage, 25/1 seems a good price for the experienced hitman to put away his Premier League woes and dominate in African football’s showpiece.

Follow all the latest African Cup of Nations odds here.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

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Author

Dave Burin

Dave graduated with an MA in English Literature at Durham University, and worked in marketing before joining the Ladbrokes News team. A Man United fan and avid groundhopper, he’s also an ardent follower of Rugby League. You can usually find him at a ground near you, clutching a big cup of tea.