Africa has produced some of the most iconic, resilient, and gifted footballers in the world. From dusty pitches to global stadiums, these players not only conquered football but became symbols of hope and pride for millions.
At Access Post, we selected seven of the greatest African footballers of all time that we thought are the best.
George Weah (Liberia)
Position: Striker
Era: 1980s–1990s
George Weah is more than a football legend—he’s a cultural icon and the only African ever to win the Ballon d’Or (1995). His explosive pace, sublime skill, and unmatched determination took him from the slums of Monrovia to AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. Today, he serves as the President of Liberia, proof that football can be a platform for national transformation.
Legacy: Opened doors for African strikers in Europe.
Clubs: AC Milan, PSG, Monaco, Chelsea
Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
Position: Striker
Era: Late 1990s–2010s
Eto’o is Africa’s most decorated player, with four African Player of the Year awards and three UEFA Champions League titles. He was known for his lethal finishing, relentless energy, and leadership on and off the pitch. At Barcelona, he was part of the historic treble-winning squad under Pep Guardiola.
Legacy: A born winner and serial goalscorer.
Clubs: Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea
Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire)
Position: Striker
Era: 2000s–2010s
Drogba wasn’t just Chelsea’s hero—he was a national unifier. On the pitch, he was a powerhouse forward who scored crucial goals, including the equalizer and winning penalty in Chelsea’s first Champions League title (2012). Off the pitch, he helped broker peace during Ivory Coast’s civil war.
Legacy: Footballer, peacemaker, and legend.
Clubs: Chelsea, Marseille, Galatasaray
Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire)
Position: Midfielder
Era: 2000s–2010s
Yaya Touré combined strength, vision, and skill in midfield like few others. At Manchester City, he was the engine behind their rise to Premier League dominance. He could defend, create, and score, often single-handedly turning games.
Legacy: Redefined the modern box-to-box midfielder.
Clubs: Manchester City, Barcelona, Olympiacos
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Position: Winger
Era: 2010s–present
Salah is Egypt’s modern-day Pharaoh. With blistering pace and clinical precision, he helped revive Liverpool’s fortunes—winning the Premier League and Champions League—and became the highest-scoring African in Premier League history. His humility and philanthropy only add to his legendary status.
Legacy: The pride of Egypt and the Arab world.
Clubs: Liverpool, Roma, Chelsea, Basel
Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria)
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Era: 1990s–2000s
Okocha brought joy to football. His dazzling dribbles, no-look passes, and impossible skills made him a fan favorite everywhere he played. While he didn’t win major trophies in Europe, his role in Nigeria’s 1996 Olympic gold medal and 1994 AFCON triumph cements his legendary status.
Legacy: The entertainer-in-chief of African football.
Clubs: PSG, Bolton, Fenerbahçe
Roger Milla (Cameroon)
Position: Striker
Era: 1970s–1990s
At 38 years old, Roger Milla shocked the world during the 1990 FIFA World Cup, dancing at the corner flag after scoring four goals for Cameroon. He became the oldest player to score at a World Cup (a record he later broke again at 42), helping Cameroon reach the quarter-finals—a first for an African nation.
Legacy: The face of Africa at Italia ’90.
Clubs: Montpellier, Tonnerre Yaoundé
Other great players
Abedi Pele (Ghana) – The original African “Pele”
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – Key to Leicester’s miracle title win.
Thomas N’Kono (Cameroon) – Inspired a generation of African goalkeepers.
Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia) – Africa’s best in the 1980s.
