We all know that football is dominated by European players but let us not forget that we have African players that put some outstanding records both for their clubs and their countries. African football is not as much developed as other continents do but africa got more of the talent one may need to kno.
At this point let’s take a look at some of the iconic african players who have globally motivated people in the world of football.
10. Esam El-hadary (Egypt). He is the goal keeper of Egypt national team commonly known as ” the high dam” He is one of the Egypt’s most decorated players and African players at large. He made his debut for the Egypt national team known as the pharaohs in 1996. He has won four African cup of nations with them and three of them coming in consecutively in 2006, 2008 and 2010. At the age of 45 he also became the oldest player to play in world cup that was in Russia back in 2018. He also won 8 Egypt league titles with Al Ahly also won the league title in Sudan with Al merreikh.
9.Aye Abed Pele ( Ghana). He played as an attacking midfielder and helped the black stars to win afcon in 1982. After 10years he was also named as the player of the tournament though Ghana lost the final to Ivory coast on spot kicks. He also won the league cup trophy for three times consecutively in 1991, 1992,and 1993. In the same year in 1993 the Ghanaian international won the UEFA champions league with Marseille by defeating ac Milan. He also won the African player of the year award three times. He is the father to Jordan Ayew and Andre Ayew.
8. Yaya Toure ( ivory coast). Yaya Toure proved to the world as a football champion both on the international duty and on the club level. He was commonly known as “the tall introvert .” In 2015 he helped Ivory coast to win the Afcon. Yaya has also managed to win the league titles in the giants clubs of Europe like man city and fc Barcelona . On his profile he also has UEFA champions league with fc Barcelona. He also won African player of the year four times.
7. Nwankwo Kanu ( Nigeria). The Nigerian international managed to represent his country three times in the world cup. Sad story behind him he did not win any afcon cup with him. He won three league trophies with ajax Amsterdam and one UEFA champions league. In the arsenal sword that was known as the invisible that won the league title unbeaten he was one of them. Apart from being a legend in Africa, in his evenings as a baller he faced relegation experience with Portsmouth though he won African player of the year three times.
6. Roja Milla ( Cameron). In last 100 years he was the recognized as the second best African player by the international federation of football history and statistics. In 1990 he led the Cameron national team to world cup quarter finals. This made Cameron to become the first African country to play in that round. He scored against Russia at the age of 42 making him the oldest player to score in worldcup. He won the African player of the year twice. He also won afcon two times with Cameron.
5. Sadio Mané (Senegal). Sadio mane came from the remote village of bambali to become the world champion. He played for fc Metz but was recognized at rb Salzburg. His performance attracted Southampton that made them sign him for just £10 for his services. In 2016 he was bought by liverpool from st Mary’s stadium to anifield. At liverpool he has won it all as he won all possible trophies including the UEFA champions and the English premier league. He also won the golden boot which he shared with teammate Mohammed salah and pierre aubemeyoung. In 2022 he also won AFCON with Senegal hence being one of the most decorated African players.
4. Mohammed Salah. ( Egypt). After being loaned for multiple times by Chelsea, Mohammed salah later found his right feet and then is one of the iconic stars in Africa. After his good years in ac Roma, he was spotted by liverpool where he was brought to anifield in 2017. Since his arrival at liverpool he has also won it all. He has also won the golden boot two times. In 2018 he was named the PFA player of the year.
3. Didier Drogba. ( Ivory coast). Didier was one of the iconic players during the golden generation of Chelsea. In Chelsea history 2012 is the year they cant forget as they won their first ucl trophy against bayern Munich. He also won four league titles with the blues. He also won the golden boot twice in English premier league. Unfortunately he didn’t win any international trophy with ivory coast. He won the African player of the year twice.
2. Samuel Eto’o ( Cameron). This player really needs no introduction as he is popular for all he did both for his country and the clubs. He was the African player of the year four times tallying it with Yaya Toure. He won three UEFA champions league one with inter millan and two with fc Barcelona. He also won three league titles with fc Barcelona and one with Inter millan. In year 2008/9 fc Barcelona won the treble and he was one of the iconic players by then. He is all time topscorer of Cameron.
1. George Weah( CAMERON). There is no doubt on our number one player. He is the only African player in history to win the barron dor in 1995. In the same year he was awarded as the best European player of the year and FIFA player of the year. He won the league title with ac Milan and won fa with Chelsea. Also won the league one title with PSG. He is the currently the president of his country Liberia.
