Ghana has produced some of the finest goal scorers ever seen on the international stage, with many ranking among Africa’s greatest of all time.
Known as The Black Stars, the Ghana national team boasts the oldest football association on the continent, a rich history filled with legendary moments and unforgettable talents.
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The iconic Asamoah Gyan is perhaps the first name that comes to mind — the man who netted the fastest goal in FIFA World Cup history, striking just 68 seconds into a 2006 group-stage match.
And, of course, Abedi Pele, whose dazzling display at the 1992 African Cup of Nations is still regarded as one of the finest performances by any player in a single tournament.
But beyond these iconic moments lies the bigger question, who are Ghana’s most prolific goal-getters of all time?
YEN.com.gh takes a closer look at the ten top scorers in the country’s history.
1. Asamoah Gyan (51 goals)
Undoubtedly Ghana’s greatest-ever goalscorer, Asamoah Gyan netted an impressive 51 goals in his international career. Making his senior debut at just 17 years old in 2003, Gyan wasted no time by scoring against Somalia. His prolific form in the qualifiers played a key role in helping Ghana reach their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2006.
At the tournament, he made history by scoring the fastest goal in World Cup history—after just 68 seconds—against the Czech Republic. This strike also marked Ghana’s first-ever World Cup goal, cementing Gyan’s place in the nation’s football folklore.
2. Edward Acquah (45 goals)
Edward Acquah stands second on Ghana’s all-time scoring chart with 45 goals in only 41 appearances between 1956 and 1964—a remarkable strike rate. The lethal forward represented Ghana at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
His most iconic performance came during the 1963 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he scored four goals in the tournament, including a decisive brace in the final against Sudan. Those goals delivered Ghana’s first-ever continental title.
3. Kwasi Owusu (36 goals)
With 36 goals in over 130 caps, Kwasi Owusu remains one of Ghana’s most celebrated forwards.
His international debut in August 1969 was nothing short of extraordinary, he scored five times as Ghana defeated Niger 6-0 in a 1970 AFCON qualifier.
Just over a month later, he repeated the torment by netting four more goals against the same opponent.
Owusu’s legacy as a deadly finisher endured long after his playing days. He passed away in March 2020 at the age of 74.
4. Jordan Ayew (31 goals)
Ayew scored 31 goals in 113 games for Ghana.
He made his debut for the senior team in September 2010 in a 2012 AFCON qualifier against Swaziland.
Ayew scored his first two goals against Lesotho in Ghana’s 2014 World Cup qualifier.
His most memorable performance came in the last warm-up game before the 2014 World Cup against South Korea, when he came on as a substitute and scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win for Ghana.
5. Tony Yeboah (29 goals)
Renowned for his thunderous strikes, Tony Yeboah scored 29 goals in 59 matches for Ghana between 1985 and 1997.
The former Leeds United star was a fixture in the national team for over a decade, appearing in three AFCON tournaments during the 1990s.
One of his most memorable outings came in a 1992 AFCON qualifier, where he struck twice against Burkina Faso. His consistency and attacking flair made him one of Ghana’s most respected forwards.
6. Karim Abdul Razak (25 Goals)
Known across the continent as the “Golden Boy,” Karim Abdul Razak remains one of Ghana’s most celebrated midfielders.
In a career that saw him net 25 goals in 70 appearances for the Black Stars, Razak’s crowning moment came during the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he played a decisive role in Ghana’s triumph.
His outstanding performances that year earned him the prestigious African Footballer of the Year award.
Even decades after hanging up his boots, Razak’s influence still resonates—CAF named him among the top 30 African footballers of the last half-century in 2007, cementing his legacy as a true icon of the game.
7. André Ayew (24 Goals)
The eldest son of Ghanaian legend Abedi “Pele” Ayew, André Ayew has carried the family name with pride and distinction. Since making his senior debut in 2008, Ayew has become Ghana’s highest active international goal scorer, with 24 goals to his name.
A versatile forward and natural leader, he has represented the Black Stars in two FIFA World Cups (2010 and 2014) and an impressive seven Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Ayew played a key role in Ghana’s runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2015—the latter saw him claim the tournament’s Golden Boot. His passion, resilience, and knack for crucial goals have made him one of Ghana’s modern-day greats.
8. Wilberforce Mfum (20 Goals)
A prolific striker of the 1960s, Wilberforce Mfum’s impact was as quick as it was decisive. Making his debut in 1960, Mfum struck 20 goals in just 26 appearances for Ghana.
He featured in the 1963 AFCON, famously scoring twice in the final to help Ghana lift their first continental title.
His clinical finishing also shone at the 1968 edition, where he finished as the tournament’s second-highest scorer despite Ghana narrowly losing in the final. Mfum’s sharp eye for goal and ability to deliver on the big stage made him a cornerstone of Ghana’s early football dominance.
9. Sulley Muntari (20 Goals)
Fans of English football will remember Sulley Muntari for his time at Portsmouth, but in Ghana, he’s revered for his decade-long service to the national team. From 2002 to 2014, Muntari earned 84 caps and scored 20 goals, often stepping up in crucial matches.
He played in three consecutive FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, and 2014) and was a key part of Ghana’s memorable 2010 run, where he scored a thunderous long-range goal against Uruguay in the quarterfinals. Muntari also represented Ghana at multiple AFCON tournaments, bringing a mix of grit, creativity, and flair to the midfield.
10. Osei Kofi (19 Goals)
Nicknamed the “Wizard Dribbler,” Osei Kofi dazzled fans with his close control, vision, and scoring instinct.
Between 1964 and 1973, he scored 19 goals in 25 appearances for Ghana, a remarkable strike rate for a midfielder.
Kofi was joint top scorer at the 1965 AFCON, helping Ghana secure their second continental title. Despite attracting lucrative offers from European clubs in 1969, Kofi famously turned them down to remain in Ghana—a decision that would later align with his spiritual calling, as he became a priest after retiring from football.
His story remains one of both sporting excellence and personal conviction.
Source: YEN.com.gh
