It is often said that football is the most popular sport on the African continent.

This may be true, but it’s hard to deny that some of the greatest footballers in history have come from Africa.

From household names like Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o, to lesser-known players who have made their mark on the game, this list celebrates some of the very best African footballers to ever play the sport.

The 15 greatest African footballers of all time.

15. Roger Milla – Cameroon.

Roger Milla is a retired Cameroonian footballer who played as a striker. He was nicknamed “The Waka Waka Man” after his goal celebration in the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

He is best known for his time with the Cameroon national team, with whom he won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984 and 1988, and reached the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup.

He also had a successful club career in France, winning the Ligue 1 title with AS Monaco in 1988.

Milla was inducted into the African Football Hall of Fame in 2006, and he was named by FIFA as one of the 125 greatest living footballers in 2004.

There is no doubt that Roger Milla is one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

14. Essam El-Hadary -Egypt.

A true legend of African football, Essam El-Hadary is one of the greatest players to ever come from the continent.

A goalkeeper of unparalleled skill, he has played for some of the biggest clubs in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and has been a member of the Egyptian national team for over two decades.

In that time, he has won four African Cup of Nations titles, and was named the tournament’s best goalkeeper on three occasions.

He also holds the record for the most international appearances by an African player, with over 150 caps to his name.

In recognition of his outstanding career, El-Hadary was named African Footballer of the Year in 2000, and was inducted into the CAF Hall of Fame in 2018.

There is no doubt that he is one of the all-time greats of African football.

13. Abedi Ayew “pele” – Ghana.

Abedi Ayew “Pele” is widely considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

He was a member of the Ghanaian national team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1982, and he played an instrumental role in the team’s success.

Pele was a gifted goal scorer, and his ability to create chances for his teammates made him a dangerous attacking player.

He was also an excellent defensive midfielder, using his speed and strength to win the ball back for his team. Pele retired from football in 1998, but his legacy as one of Ghana’s greatest ever players remains.

12. George Opong Weah – Liberia.

George Opong Weah is indisputably one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

A world-class striker, he was named FIFA World Player of the Year and won the Ballon d’Or in 1995, becoming the first – and so far only – African player to do so.

He started his career in his home country of Liberia before moving to France, where he played for some of the biggest clubs in the country, including Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco.

He also had a successful spell in Italy with AC Milan, winning the Serie A title and the Champions League. After retiring from playing, he entered politics and was elected president of Liberia in 2017.

Given his achievements on and off the pitch, it is no surprise that George Opong Weah is considered one of the greats of African football.

11. Michael Essien – Ghana.

Michael Essien is widely considered to be one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

A versatile and powerful midfielder, he has played for some of the top clubs in Europe, including Chelsea, Real Madrid, and AC Milan. In his native Ghana, he is a national hero, and he has also been honoured with the prestigious African Footballer of the Year award.

Throughout his career, Essien has been known for his strong work ethic, superb passing ability, and outstanding shooting.

He has also shown a commitment to giving back to his community, setting up a foundation to provide educational opportunities for disadvantaged youths in Ghana.

Michael Essien is a true football legend, and he will be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever come from Africa.

10. Kolo Toure – Ivory coast.

Kolo Touré is a Ivorian football legend who has enjoyed a successful career both at club and international level.

He started his professional career with ASEC Mimosas in his home country, before moving to Europe to join Arsenal in 2002.

He quickly became a key player for the Gunners, helping them to win the Premier League title in 2004. He also had spells at Liverpool, Manchester City and Celtic, before returning to Ivory Coast in 2016 to finish his career with FC Blue Boys Mokanda. T

ouré was also an integral part of the Ivorian national team, captaining them to victory in the African Cup of Nations in 2015.

He retired from international football after the 2017 tournament. Throughout his career, Touré was known for his strength, pace and power, as well as his ability to score crucial goals.

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

9. John Obi Mikel – Nigeria.

John Obi Mikel is widely considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time. A versatile midfielder, he is known for his vision and passing ability, as well as his tough tackling.

Born in Jos, Nigeria, Mikel began his career with local side Plateau United. He quickly attracted the attention of top European clubs, and in 2006 he signed for Chelsea.

He would go on to make over 350 appearances for the club, winning a host of trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League.

In 2017, he moved to Tianjin TEDA, where he has continued to excel. His impressive performances at club level have led to him being capped over 100 times by Nigeria, and he was a member of the Super Eagles team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.

There is no doubt that John Obi Mikel is a true legend of African football.

8. Pierre-emerick Aubameyang – Gabon.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

Born in Gabon, Aubameyang began his career with the French club AC Milan, before moving to St. Etienne in 2011.

He quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young players in Europe, scoring over 100 goals for the club.

In 2013, he moved to Borussia Dortmund, where he has become one of the most prolific strikers in the world.

In 2019, he was named African Footballer of the Year, becoming only the second Gabonese player to win the award.

A brilliant goal scorer with lightning speed and excellent finishing ability, Aubameyang is a truly world-class footballer. There is no doubt that he is one of the greatest African players of all time.

7. Yaya Toure – Ivory Coast.

Yaya Toure is a Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City. He has also played for and captained the Ivory Coast national team.

Toure began his playing career at Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas in 2001. He moved to Olympiacos in Greece in 2005, before joining metalist in 2006.

In 2010, Toure moved to England to play for Manchester City, where he has since won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a League Cup.

Toure has also been named African Footballer of the Year four times, winning the award in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

6. JJ Okocha – Nigeria.

JJ Okochal was born in Nigeria in 1973 and began his professional career with the Nigerian national team in 1988.

He quickly established himself as one of the best players in the world, helping lead Nigeria to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994. Okochal also had a successful club career, playing for top teams in England, France, and Spain.

He was named African Footballer of the Year on two occasions, and he was inducted into the Nigerian Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

Okocha retired from football in 2006, but his legacy as one of the greatest African footballers of all time remains intact.

5. Nwanku Kanu – Nigeria.

Nwanku Kanu is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a forward. He was born in 1976 in Owerri, Nigeria. He began his football career at the age of 16, playing for local side Iwuanyanwu Nationale.

He later moved to Europe, joining Dutch club Ajax in 1993. He won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax in 1995. He also played for Inter Milan, Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth.

He was a member of the Nigerian national team from 1994 to 2010.

He played in three World Cups and won the Africa Cup of Nations twice. He retired from football in 2012.

4. Didier Drogba – Ivory coast.

Didier Drogba is a retired Ivorian professional footballer who played as a striker. He is the all-time top scorer and former captain of the Ivory Coast national team.

He played most of his career with Chelsea, for whom he scored more goals than any other foreign player and is currently the club’s fourth highest goal scorer of all time.

Drogba was named African Footballer of the Year twice, winning the accolade in 2006 and 2009. After leaving Chelsea in 2012, he spent brief periods with Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray before returning to Chelsea in 2014.

He was then traded to Montreal Impact the following year, retiring from football in 2018. Drogba has been praised for his work ethic, power, aerial ability, and technical skills.

He has also been frequently described as a “big-game player” for his outstanding performances in cup finals and other critical matches.

In October 2007, he was voted by Chelsea fans as the club’s greatest ever player.

As of March 2020, Drogba is second on the list of all-time appearances made by an African footballer in all competitions; only behind Samuel Eto’o.

In November 2019, he was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

3. Samuel Eto’o – Cameroon.

Samuel Eto’o is widely considered to be one of the greatest African footballers of all time. A native of Cameroon, Eto’o began his career with the Cameroonian club Real Madrid.

He later moved to Barcelona, where he enjoyed great success, winning both the Spanish league title and the Champions League.

In 2010, he joined Inter Milan, where he won another Champions League title. Eto’o has also enjoyed success at the international level, helping Cameroon to win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002.

He is the all-time leading scorer for his country, with 56 goals in 118 appearances. In addition to his many accomplishments on the field, Eto’o has also been active in humanitarian work, supporting several charities in his native Cameroon.

2. Sadio Mane – Senegal.

Sadio Mane is often considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time.

Born in Senegal, Mane began his career with the French club FC Metz before moving to the English Premier League side Southampton in 2014.

He quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league, and his performances earned him a transfer to Liverpool in 2016.

Since then, he has helped Liverpool win the Champions League and establish themselves as one of the best teams in Europe.

Mane has also been named African Footballer of the Year twice, in 2019 and 2020. There is no doubt that he is one of the most talented and successful African footballers of all time.

1. Mohamed Salah – Egypt.

Mohamed Salah is one of the greatest African footballers of all time. He was born in Egypt and began his career with the Egyptian Premier League club El Mokawloon in 2010.

He then moved to Europe, first joining the Swiss club Basel in 2012. He later moved to Chelsea, Roma, and Liverpool.

He has won many awards, including African Footballer of the Year in 2017 and 2018. Salah is a quick and skillful winger who is known for his finishing ability.

He has been described as one of the best players in the world. Salah is also a strong advocate for social justice and has been outspoken about the rights of minorities in Egypt.

In 2019, he was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. Salah is an inspiration to millions of people across Africa and the world.

The bottom line!.

Although many talented footballers have emerged from Africa over the years, these 15 players are some of the greatest to ever grace the pitch.

They’ve achieved amazing feats, both for their clubs and countries, and inspired a new generation of African footballers.

As we celebrate their accomplishments, we can only wait with anticipation to see what more they will achieve in the future.

Also read about the top 10 African players in the English premier league 2022!.

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