Greatest African Footballers of All Time

Africa has a deep passion for football and has produced some remarkable talents over the decades. From pioneers of the 1970s and 80s to contemporary stars, here is a list celebrating the best African footballers who have excelled for both club and country.

32. Benni McCarthy

Benni McCarthy made his mark in the mid-90s with Cape Town’s Seven Stars before moving to Europe where he scored regularly for Ajax, Porto, and Blackburn Rovers. He is considered South Africa’s finest striker, having represented Bafana Bafana at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

31. Essam El Hadary

Essam El Hadary’s career spanned nearly three decades, from his 1993 debut until 2020. The Egyptian goalkeeper earned 159 caps, won four AFCON titles, and became the oldest player to feature in a World Cup match at age 45 in 2018.

30. Lucas Radebe

Lucas Radebe was pivotal in South Africa’s 1996 AFCON win and captained the team during the 1998 World Cup. He gained legendary status at Leeds United, inspiring the name of the British band Kaiser Chiefs after his former club Kaizer Chiefs of Johannesburg.

29. Asamoah Gyan

Asamoah Gyan scored over 50 goals for Ghana across more than 100 appearances. He nearly led Ghana to the 2010 World Cup semi-finals but was famously denied by Luis Suarez. Gyan wore the unusual number three shirt and played for clubs including Udinese, Rennes, and Sunderland.

28. Hossam Hassan

Hossam Hassan, Egypt’s prolific center-forward, earned 176 caps and scored 68 goals. Spending most of his career at Al Ahly, he helped Egypt to three AFCON titles and played in the 1990 World Cup.

27. Sulley Muntari

Sulley Muntari, known for his aggressive midfield style, collected 84 caps for Ghana and was part of the 2010 World Cup quarter-finalist squad. He won the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008 and later starred in Inter Milan’s treble-winning side.

26. Vincent Enyeama

Standing 5’11", Vincent Enyeama was relatively short for a goalkeeper but became one of Africa’s finest in that position. Capped 101 times for Nigeria, he won the 2013 AFCON and played in two World Cups, notably featuring for Lille at club level.

25. Freddie Kanoute

Born in France, Freddie Kanoute chose to represent Mali internationally and became the first non-African-born player to win African Footballer of the Year in 2007. He had successful spells with Lyon, West Ham, Tottenham, and especially Sevilla, scoring 137 goals and winning back-to-back UEFA Cups.

24. Kolo Toure

Kolo Toure was a key figure in Arsenal’s unbeaten 2003/04 Premier League title season and won another league title with Manchester City. Internationally, he earned 120 caps with Ivory Coast and lifted the 2015 AFCON trophy.

23. Mohamed Aboutrika

Mohamed Aboutrika, runner-up for African Player of the Year in 2008, won two AFCON titles with Egypt and earned 100 caps. He won seven consecutive Egyptian Premier League titles with Al Ahly and was the top scorer at the 2006 Club World Cup.

22. Emmanuel Adebayor

Togo’s greatest player, Emmanuel Adebayor, led his country to their first World Cup appearance in 2006. After moving from Monaco to Arsenal, he was named African Player of the Year in 2008 and was included in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year.

21. Lauren

Lauren, another member of Arsenal’s Invincibles, transitioned from midfield to become one of the Premier League’s most reliable right-backs. His international career spanned five years, collecting two AFCON trophies and an Olympic gold medal in 2000.

20. Rigobert Song

Rigobert Song, capped 137 times over 17 years, ranks among Cameroon’s best, winning two AFCON titles and playing in four World Cups. He won trophies at Metz, Liverpool, Galatasaray, and Trabzonspor, later coaching Cameroon at the 2022 World Cup where they defeated Brazil.

19. Bruce Grobbelaar

Although born in South Africa, Bruce Grobbelaar represented Zimbabwe internationally. He is remembered for his eccentric goalkeeping with Liverpool, especially during the 1984 European Cup final penalty shootout victory against Roma.

18. Geremi

Geremi's career took him from Cameroon to Paraguay, Turkey, Spain, England, and Cyprus. This versatile right-back won two AFCON titles and Olympic gold with Cameroon and was a double Champions League winner with Real Madrid and a two-time Premier League champion with Chelsea.

17. Mahmoud El Khatib

Mahmoud El Khatib was a star in the 70s and 80s, helping Egypt win AFCON in 1986 after a 27-year drought. A prolific scorer, he spent his entire club career at Al Ahly, later becoming its President and leading them to ten league titles between 1975 and 1987.

16. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

French-born Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is Gabon’s finest player, following in his father’s footsteps as captain. He led Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal, won African Player of the Year in 2015, and shared the 2018/19 Premier League Golden Boot with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.

15. Thomas N'Kono

Goalkeeper Thomas N'Kono inspired future stars like Gianluigi Buffon with his displays at the 1990 World Cup. He helped Cameroon reach the quarter-finals in Italy and won six AFCON titles. He also managed the national team in 2009.

14. Sammy Kuffour

Sammy Kuffour is considered the finest defender from Africa. Joining Bayern Munich in 1993, he won six Bundesliga titles and the Champions League. He was part of Ghana’s first-ever World Cup squad in 2006 after winning the U17 World Cup in 1991.

13. Roger Milla

Roger Milla gained global fame at 38 by scoring four goals for Cameroon at Italia ’90. Twice African Footballer of the Year and a double AFCON winner, he also won the Coupe de France with Monaco and Bastia and scored again at the 1994 World Cup.

12. Nwankwo Kanu

Nwankwo Kanu was a fan favorite at Arsenal after lifting the Champions League with Ajax and UEFA Cup with Inter Milan. Standing six-foot-six, the Nigerian was known for his skillful play and became an Olympic champion in 1996, winning two Premier League titles with Arsenal.

11. Rabah Madjer

Rabah Madjer was the first African outfield player to win the European Cup, scoring the equalizer in Porto’s 1987 win over Bayern Munich. He helped Algeria win the 1990 AFCON and appeared in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.

10. Jay-Jay Okocha

Jay-Jay Okocha joined Bolton Wanderers in 2002 on a free transfer and quickly became one of the Premier League’s most entertaining players. He won the 1994 AFCON, 1996 Olympic gold, and was Nigerian Footballer of the Year seven times.

9. Michael Essien

Michael Essien was one of Europe’s best box-to-box midfielders, joining Chelsea from Lyon for a record fee at the time. He helped Ghana to the 2010 AFCON final and was vital in Chelsea’s 2005/06 Premier League and 2011/12 Champions League victories.

8. Abedi Pele

Abedi Pele earned three consecutive African Footballer of the Year awards from 1991 to 1993 and won the 1992/93 Champions League with Marseille. His sons Andre, Jordan, and Rahim Ayew all represented Ghana, continuing his legacy.

7. Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez shone during Leicester City’s 2015/16 Premier League title, earning PFA Player of the Year. After a £60 million move to Manchester City, he won another league title and helped Algeria claim AFCON. In 2023, he finally won the Champions League.

6. Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane rose through Red Bull Salzburg and Southampton before joining Liverpool in 2016. He won the Premier League and Champions League with the Reds and helped Senegal secure AFCON glory.

5. Yaya Toure

Midfielder Yaya Toure dominated at Manchester City, winning three Premier League titles. He was African Footballer of the Year four times in a row and captained Ivory Coast to the 2015 AFCON title. He remains one of few midfielders to score 20 Premier League goals in a season.

4. Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba was the first African to score 100 Premier League goals. He terrorized defenders at Chelsea, winning four league titles and the Champions League. Drogba also won two African Footballer of the Year awards and two Premier League Golden Boots, scoring 65 goals in 105 caps for Ivory Coast.

3. Samuel Eto'o

Samuel Eto’o, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, was among the greatest strikers ever. He won Champions League titles with Barcelona and Inter Milan and earned Olympic gold and two AFCON crowns with Cameroon, scoring 56 goals in 118 appearances.

2. George Weah

George Weah was Africa’s first Ballon d’Or winner in 1995 and also FIFA World Player of the Year. Although he never played at a World Cup, the Liberian legend won league titles with PSG and AC Milan and was the 1994/95 Champions League top scorer with Milan.

1. Mo Salah

Mo Salah struggled initially at Chelsea but flourished at Liverpool, becoming one of the most feared attackers worldwide. He has multiple Premier League Golden Boots, two African Footballer of the Year awards, and has earned PFA Players’ Player and FWA Footballer of the Year honors. Salah’s impact is undeniable.