PULSE PICKS: Top 10 goals by African players in 2022

The outgoing year has been an incredible one for African football, from the AFCON to the WAFCON, with several firsts.

Senegal and South Africa overcome everyone earlier this year to lift the continental titles for the first time in their respective histories. And most recently, the Atlas Lions of Morocco became the first African country to reach the semi-final stage at the FIFA World Cup following their heroics in Qatar.

For these feats, we saw some amazing goals along the way and in other international competitions. But which of the goals made it to the Pulse Picks top ten goals?

Zimbabwe crashed out of the AFCON2021 at the group stage after letting slip a lead against neighbours Malawi in Cameroon.

Gabadinho Mhango did the damage for the Flames but Ishmael Wadi opened the gates of goals in this game with a peach header.

From the build-up to the finish, it was a well-executed goal by the Warriors of Zimbabwe, who lost to Malawi for the first time in 10 years.

Botswana impressed at the Women's AFCON earlier this year and left a marker in what was their debut in the competition.

They were led by one of the stars of the competition in Morocco, Keitumetse Dithebe, who also scored one of the goals of the year against host Morocco.

With the home side leading 1-0, the 19-year-old Dithebe produced a magical equaliser for Botswana from a well-struck free kick from outside the box during the quarter-final clash.

Dithebe was her element at the Women's AFCON and truly announced herself to the continent in the competition.

The 19-year-old netted a stunning goal against Burundi to open the floodgates of goals in the six-goal thriller.

It was Botswana's first-ever goal in the competition and Dithebe inspired them to a 4-2 win en route booking a ticket to the quarter-final.

Nigeria finished third at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Colombia with Taiwo Afolabi one of the revelations from the tournament.

Afolabi scored one of the goals of the tournament in Colombia as Nigeria defeated New Zealand 4-0 in the group stages.

Picking the ball from just outside the New Zealand box, the 15-year-old let fly an unstoppable effort that sailed into the net and of course, with a celebration befitting of the goal.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon may not have reached the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup not lifted the trophy as predicted by legend Samuel Eto'o but left an incredible memory through their captain Vincent Aboubakar.

Aboubakar started his journey in Qatar on the bench before coming off the bench to inspire the Lions to a thrilling 3-3 draw against Serbia, scoring one of the goals of the competition.

With Cameroon trailing 3-1 after 53 minutes, the 30-year-old needed just eight minutes to inspire the Indomitable Lions to a remarkable comeback when he netted an excellent chip goal to pull back a goal just after the hour mark. It is a goal that will remain ever-green in the memories of football fans.

Paris Saint-Germaine superstar Achraf Hakimi was at his scoring best for the Atlas Lions in Cameroon.

Hakimi is the only player with two of his goals in the top ten and deservedly so. The first goal was a stunning free-kick against Gabon in the group stages as Morocco and Gabon played out an absolute thriller that finished 2-2, with both teams automatically making it through to the last 16.

Gabon led 2-1 heading into the final six minutes before the PSG man produced a stunning free kick from a difficult angle to ensure a share of the spoils.

The goal against Gabon was so good that you'd be forgiven if you said there won't be a better free-kick goal throughout the year.

But the 25-year-old replicated the magic in the next game against Malawi in the round of 16.

This time, the game was tied at 1-1 after two outstanding goals but Hakimi will score his second goal and free kick in as many matches. It was a goal as good if not better than the one mentioned in five above.

Cape Verde had an underwhelming AFCON 2021 in Cameroon but Garry Rodrigues left a mark in the competition.

The Olympiacos star came off the bench to score a ridiculous backheel goal that helped the Blue Sharks to a share of the spoils against the host nation in Group A.

The story of Malawi's performance at AFCON won't be told without the mention of the impressive Gabadinho Mhango.

Mhango scored a Pukas-worthy opener to shock the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the round of 16.

It was a goal that gave the Flames every reason to dream as they looked to reach the quarter-final for the first time.

They eventually failed to as Morocco scored two goals to seal the win. But for Mhango, his opener was a thing of beauty.

The best goal scored by an African is this audacious attempt from over 40 yards by Youssef M'Changama of Comoros.

He had no right to go for a goal from that distance and against the host nation, Cameroon.

This goal is better seen than described because of the audacity and execution.