Top 13 African Legends in Premier League History
Under the African sun, a boy plays one-two on a crumbling wall, the ball's rhythm echoing his dreams. Each pass feels like a step closer to the brighter lights and roaring crowds he imagines.
On TV, he watches heroes who rose from places just like his to become legends - some of the best African players in Premier League history. Some dazzled with skill, others led with strength. But he wonders, who truly stands out as the best African footballer the Premier League has ever seen?
The Premier League’s 13 Best African Players of All-time
13. Tony Yeboah (Striker, Ghana) – Leeds United
Few players have had such an explosive impact as Yeboah in the mid-90s. His volley against Liverpool in August 1995, a thunderous strike off the crossbar, remains etched in Premier League history. Yeboah didn’t just score; he created moments of pure magic.
12. John Obi Mikel (Midfielder, Nigeria) – Chelsea
Mikel Obi wasn’t flashy, but he was vital. His role in Chelsea’s 2012 Champions League final was understated brilliance, breaking up play and shielding the defence. Over a decade in England, he won every major trophy with Chelsea, embodying a level of consistency and unselfishness.
11. Jay-Jay Okocha (Midfielder, Nigeria) – Bolton
Jay-Jay Okocha made Bolton a must-watch team in the early 2000s. His jaw-dropping skills—flicks, stepovers, and audacious finishes—turned every match into a spectacle. Can you remember the commentator exclaiming, "Oh no, where did he go?" after Okocha effortlessly danced past defenders, leaving them in his wake?
Moments like those, coupled with his sublime free-kick double against Aston Villa in 2004, which played a pivotal role in securing Bolton’s Premier League survival, cemented his place as a fan favourite and a legend in Premier League history.
10. Lauren (Defender, Cameroon) – Arsenal, Portsmouth
The quiet warrior of Arsenal’s “Invincibles,” Lauren was a right-back, who blended steel and style. His penalty against Tottenham in November 2001 displayed his composure. With two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, he epitomised dependability and ranks among Arsenal's best right-backs of all time.
9. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Striker, Gabon) – Arsenal, Chelsea
Following his arrival from Borussia Dortmund Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s clinical finishing made him Arsenal’s talisman between 2018 and 2022. His brace in the 2020 FA Cup final against Chelsea turned the tide and delivered Arsenal their 14th FA Cup. With 68 league goals in just 128 appearances for Arsenal, he left a lasting legacy.
8. Kanus Nwankwo (Striker, Nigeria) – Arsenal, West Brom, Portsmouth
Kanu Nwankwo’s flair and unpredictability lit up the Premier League. Arsenal fans still replay his October 1999 hat-trick against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on October 23, 1999, capped by an outrageous winner from the tightest of angles. Later on in his career, he brought joy to Portsmouth, scoring vital goals in their 2008 FA Cup-winning campaign. He is one of the best African players in Arsenal history.
7. Riyad Mahrez (Winger, Algeria) – Leicester City, Man City
Leicester’s 2015/16 title run was a football fairytale, and Riyad Mahrez was the magician pulling the strings. His 17 goals and 11 assists earned him the PFA Player of the Year award.
At Manchester City, Mahrez’s brilliance continued, including his semi-final heroics in the 2021 Champions League against PSG. His contributions were vital in City's treble campaign, ensuring his place among the best African players in Premier League history.
6. Sadio Mane (Winger, Senegal) – Southampton, Liverpool
Mane’s speed and directness terrorised defences. His record-breaking hat-trick for Southampton in May 2015 (2 minutes, 56 seconds) remains unmatched. At Liverpool, he became a cornerstone of Jurgen Klopp’s heavy-metal attack.
The two-time African footballer of the year, Mane, scored crucial goals in their 2018–19 Champions League winning season and helped the Merseyside Reds secure the 2019/20 Premier League title after a 30-year wait.
5. Kolo Toure (Defender, Ivory Coast) – Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool
A key cog in Arsenal’s "Invincibles" of 2003/04, Kolo’s pace and tenacity made him indispensable. His move to Manchester City in 2009 saw him lift another league title in 2012. He also played for Liverpool after his time at City. Across his 353 Premier League appearances, Toure was a model of reliability and resilience, earning a spot among the best African players in Premier League history.
4. Michael Essien (Midfielder, Ghana) – Chelsea
"The Bison" was Chelsea’s midfield enforcer, capable of thunderous strikes and relentless energy. His jaw-dropping equaliser against Arsenal in December 2006—a long-range rocket that swerved impossibly—embodied his raw power. Injuries may have curtailed his career, but Essien remains a symbol of Chelsea's golden era.
3. Yaya Toure (Midfielder, Ivory Coast) – Manchester City
The 2013/14 season was Yaya Toure’s masterpiece. Scoring 20 league goals—a rarity for a midfielder—he powered Manchester City to their second Premier League title under Manuel Pellegrini's leadership.
Who can forget his driving run and finish against Aston Villa in May 2014, or his majestic free-kicks? Toure was the engine and artist behind City’s dominance. He also ranks high amongst the best Man City midfielders in Premier League history.
2. Didier Drogba (Striker, Ivory Coast) – Chelsea
May 19, 2012. The Allianz Arena. Chelsea trailed 1-0 against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final until Drogba’s towering header brought hope. Moments later, his decisive penalty clinched the title.
That night encapsulated Drogba’s essence: big-game heroism. With over 100 Premier League goals and four league titles, Drogba is firmly among the best African players in Premier League history.
1. Mohamed Salah (Winger, Egypt) – Chelsea, Liverpool
When Salah returned to the Premier League in 2017 with Liverpool, few could have predicted the historic heights he’d reach. From breaking the single-season goalscoring record (32 goals in 2017/18) to his iconic strike against Manchester City in October 2021, where he danced through defenders like a maestro, Salah has redefined consistency.
He currently secures the eighth spot in the Premier League all-time goalscorers list, scoring 175 goals in 284 matches. His journey from Chelsea's benchwarmer to global icon makes him the best African footballer the Premier League has ever seen.
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