A Liepaja striker and Benin international, Joseph Oloko Ede provisionally leads the European Golden Shoe standings with 31 goals in 32 Latvian league matches, ahead of Raphinha, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.
The 25-year-old striker, who stands 1.83 m tall, has provisionally taken the lead in the European Golden Shoe standings, according to Nigeria SoccerNet. His tally of 31 goals in 32 Latvian league matches puts him ahead of Raphinha, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.
His path took him first to Tukums, then to Liepaja, after a spell in Czech football. The Latvian league runs from March to November: the standings therefore remain provisional until the season is over.
From Tukums to Liepaja, in Latvia
Joseph Oloko Ede first scored for Tukums before continuing with Liepaja, Nigeria SoccerNet reports. Before arriving in Latvia, he had played in Czech football.
According to the same source, only two players have scored more goals in a single season in the history of the Latvian top flight. This total of 31 goals in 32 matches therefore places the striker among the most prolific scorers in the league.
The coach’s view
Benin head coach Gernot Rohr gave his assessment of the striker: he describes him as a powerful forward, effective inside the box and from distance, and strong with both feet. These are a coach’s opinions, not statistical data.
The provisional standings, meanwhile, place Joseph Oloko Ede ahead of Raphinha, Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, according to the same source.
Benchmarks and what’s next for Benin
Joseph Oloko Ede’s 31 goals surpass Razak Omotoyossi’s 21 for Helsingborg and Steve Mounié’s 23 for Montpellier and then Huddersfield, according to Nigeria SoccerNet.
On the national team front, Benin are preparing to host the Central African Republic in AFCON qualifying. FootAfrica has already covered Gernot Rohr’s Benin squad, built around a three-man midfield, in a recent headline.