Africa has provided the English Premier League with a large number of quality exports since its inception, with virtually every team possessing at least one African player in their squad today. This list features the top 10 greatest African players to have graced the English game. The continent is blessed with so much talent that some notable omissions had to be made in order to limit it down to ten names. The criteria for selection are:
Players of African descent who turned out for foreign national teams. This explains why I omitted the likes of Patrick Vieira, Claude Makelele, George Boateng, Marcel Desailly etc. from the list entirely since they played for foreign sides.
African players who have had major impacts on the English Premier League regardless of their respective clubs. This list is focused on the consistency of excellent performances from individual players, with League title wins acting as a bonus. It isn’t reliant on trophies won elsewhere or stature of the players, which is why the legendary George Weah also misses out of the due to his brief loan spell at Chelsea in 2000.
10 - YAKUBU
"Feed the Yak and he will score". That was a popular chant echoed by supporters of Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn during his time at each club. Yakubu Aiyegbeni was a deadly poacher in front of goal, famed for his strength and his trademark butterfly celebration; he is among a select elite of players to have scored more than 90 Premier League goals, becoming the second African to accomplish such a feat. With 26 assists & 95 Premier League strikes, he was just of a historic century of goals in the English top flight. He ravaged opposition defenses for nearly a decade of Premier League football and still remains Portsmouth record scorer in the Premiership with 28 goals. He has also one of the few players to ever score four goals in a League game doing so both against Middlesbrough in 2003/2004 and Swansea City on 3rd December 2011.
9 - LAUREN
Lauren Etame Mayer was an important member of the Arsenal Invincibles side that went a whole season unbeaten in 2003-3004. The ex-Cameroonian international right-back played for six years with the Gunners and then had a three-year spell at Portsmouth. Equally capable as a right-sided midfielder, Lauren was adept at both sides of the field, often combining stellar defensive work with marauding runs down the right flank. He won two Premier League titles and four FA Cups trophies during his successful time with both Arsenal and Pompey. Often unsung, his longevity and consistency at the top level guarantee him a spot here.
8 - LUCAS RADEBE
The Legendary Leeds United and South African centre-back captained the Elland Road, appearing over 200 times for the club between 1995 and 2004. Radebe, whom Nelson Mandela once proclaimed to be his ‘hero’, was an elegant defender who was graceful on the ball yet furious in the tackle. He led Leeds to several top-4 finishes in the Premiership, which saw the Yorkshire club qualify for the Champions League, eventually reaching the semi-finals in 2001. He was a loyal player evidenced by the fact that he only ever turned out for two clubs in his whole career; Kaiser Chiefs and Leeds United. A great personality on and off the pitch, Lucas Radebe set high standards of professionalism for other African players to follow.
7 - TONY YEBOAH
Although he only lasted two seasons at Elland Road, the former Leeds man became an instant cult hero in the Premier League. The second Leeds player to feature on this list, Yeboah was renowned for his trademark scorchers from long range. He struck an impressive 32 goals in the 66 games his time at Leeds and became ever-present in Goal of the Season competitions which he won in 1995/1996; a testament to the quality of his strikes. In his second season at Elland Road, he was voted Player of the Year; becoming the Yorkshire club’s first-ever non-British Player of the Year. The Ghanaian legend had a brief but influential impact on the English game, immortalizing himself into Premier League folklore.
6 - JAY-JAY OKOCHA
So good they named him twice. Augustine Jay-Jay Okocha was a dazzling playmaker who upon joining upgraded Bolton Wanderers in 2002, upgraded the club to heights previously uncharted, with Bolton reaching the League Cup final in 2004 and competing in the now defunct UEFA Cup. The former Bolton captain had it all, step-overs, skills, free kicks, long-range belters and even dance celebrations to match. The mercurial Nigerian was a leader in a cosmopolitan side, always played the game with a smile on his face and was a joy to watch. Arguably the most skillful African to ever grace the British Isle. The Premier League certainly misses his charisma.
5 - MICHAEL ESSIEN
Michael Kojo Essien nicknamed ‘The Bison’ was unarguably an epitome of a world-class box-to-box midfielder during his early days at Chelsea. He was the perfect complement to a midfield that already boosted Claude Makelele and Frank Lampard when he joined from Olympique Lyonnais in 2005 for £24.4 million, making him the most expensive African player at that time.
The 2006 BBC African Footballer of the Year is noted for his tough tackling style, energetic bursts from deep, physical presence and wonder-strikes; he was often nominated for the Ballon d’Or, African Player of the Year and other accolades. A player capable of taking the game by the scruff of its neck, Essien has two Premier League titles, four FA Cup medals and a League Cup triumph to his name. Although his powers have waned no thanks to recurring knee injuries; his impact on the Premiership won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
4- KANU
He has won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, three FA Cups, two Premier Leagues, Olympic Gold and twice African Footballer of the year, introducing; Nwankwo Kanu. ‘Papillo’ as his fondly called back home in Nigeria, was an exceptionally gifted attacker during his Premier League hey-day. Voted the 13th greatest ever player in Arsenal’s history back in 2008, he struck impressive strike partnerships with the likes of Henry and Bergkamp at Highbury during a trophy-laden era at the club. The lanky forward also featured for both West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth after leaving the Gunners. Capable of jaw-dropping tricks, sublime assists, and classy finishes, he will be forever remembered for his famous hat-trick at Stamford Bridge on 23rd October 1999.
3 - KOLO TOURE
A member of the Arsenal Invincibles of the 2003/2004 season, Kolo has been a consistent rock at the back throughout his reign in the Premiership for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and presently Liverpool. The elder Toure was originally signed as a striker by Arsenal way back in 2002 for £150,000 and then converted into a defender by Arsene Wenger, where he would form a water-tight partnership with Sol Campbell at the back. Capable of playing as a right-back, defensive midfielder or even as an emergency forward, Kolo Toure was an unspectacular but consistent member of multiple League and FA Cup medal winning sides, both at North London and Manchester. A tremendous leader evidenced by the fact that he captained Arsenal and Man City on numerous occasions. Had his curtain call with Merseyside Giants Liverpool before heading up North to win further titles with Scottish champions Celtic.
2 - YAYA TOURE
The Ex-African Player of the Year is a true world-class specimen, capable of playing almost anywhere on the pitch, Yaya has been the dominant catalyst in Manchester City’s rise from obscurity to Premier League glory.
The 4-time winner of the African Footballer of the Year award, is the total package; excellent touch, great two-feet, powerful surging runs, free kicks, beautiful goals, physical power, passing ability from all ranges, leadership and so much more.
The younger Toure can switch from a defensive role to an attacking one seamlessly, with his versatility a blessing rather than a curse compared with other players.
Since joining Manchester City in 2010, he has led them to success in the League Cup, Premier League and FA Cup where he played a major impact in each triumph. His late double against Newcastle United on 6th May 2012 proved to be the tipping point in the title race against Manchester United, which provided the platform for Sergio Aguero’s epic moment. At his prime, Gnegneri Yaya Toure was undoubtedly world-class and one of the best midfielders in the game. He is currently at the twilight of his career at City but has lots left in his locker to offer Pep’ side.
1 - DROGBA
Didier Drogba is undoubtedly the greatest African product to have ever graced the Premiership. Built like a tank, the ‘Drog’ dominated defenders throughout his tenure at Chelsea with his finishing ability standing out. Great with both feet and a fantastic header of the ball, he was also capable of powerful free kicks and powerful link-up play with his supporting cast. Signed by Jose Mourinho for £24 million in 2004, the big Ivorian would always come alive in the big games with Arsenal one of his perennial conquests.
His match-winning abilities saw him win the League title thrice at the Bridge, twice claiming the Golden Boot of the 2006/2007 and 2009/2010 seasons. He made a return in Chelsea in 2014-2015 season adding to his tally of Premier League titles. He ended up with an envious record of 4 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups and 3 League Cups amongst other numerous trophies.
Didier is also the first African player to score 100 Premier League goals. A living legend, the UNDP Goodwill Ambassador is the right man to spearhead this list.
Honorable mentions: John Obi Mikel, Emmanuel Adebayor, Sadio Mane, Mark-Vivian Foe, Frederick Kanoute, George Weah, Christopher Samba, Geremi, Steven Pienaar, Alex Song, Mark Fish, Bruce Grobbelaar, Demba Ba, Joseph Yobo, Titi Camara, Stephane Sessegnon, Victor Moses, Papa Boupa Diop, Salomon Kalou, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Celestine Babayaro, Noureddine Naybet, Daniel Amokachi, Cheick Tiote (RIP)
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