Africa Jackson and Mahrez Lead AFCON 2025 Golden Boot Race with Opening Brace

The Digest:

Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson and Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez are jointly leading the race for the AFCON 2025 Golden Boot after each scoring a brace in their nations' dominant opening victories.

Key Points:

• Nicolas Jackson scored twice in Senegal's 3-0 win over Botswana on Tuesday.
• Riyad Mahrez also netted a brace in Algeria's 3-0 victory against Sudan on Wednesday.
• Mahrez's goals bring his international tally to 36, making him Algeria's second all-time scorer.
• He also became Algeria's leading AFCON scorer with 8 tournament goals.
• Both players have set a high early standard in the competition's scoring chart.
• Their performances propelled their teams to convincing starts in the group stage.
• The race underscores the blend of emerging talent and seasoned excellence on display.

As the tournament unfolds, this early duel for the golden boot adds a compelling subplot, a race within the race, where every goal carries the weight of national pride and personal legacy.

Sources: Complete Sports, Soccernet