Africa is known for producing some of the most talented football players in the world. From George Weah to Samuel Eto’o, African strikers have dazzled fans with their skill, speed, and precision on the pitch.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the top 10 best African strikers of all time.
These are the players who have left a lasting mark on the game, and whose names will forever be remembered by fans across the globe.
From their early beginnings on the dusty streets of Africa to their rise to fame on the world stage, these players have inspired generations of young footballers and continue to be an inspiration to this day.
So without further ado, let’s dive into the list and see who makes the cut as the best African striker of all time.
Criteria for Selecting Top 10 Best African Strikers of All Time
To make it onto this list, the players must have had a consistent and impressive career.
They must have won major trophies and had a significant impact on their teams and the game itself.
The players must have also represented their national teams with distinction and made significant contributions to African football.
10: Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)
Nwankwo Kanu, also known as Papilo, is a retired Nigerian striker. He began his career in Nigeria before moving to Ajax, where he won three Eredivisie titles and the UEFA Champions League. Kanu also played for Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Portsmouth. At Arsenal, he won the Premier League twice and the FA Cup twice.
Kanu was known for his technical ability, dribbling skills, and his ability to score crucial goals.
He also won two African Player of the Year awards. Kanu represented Nigeria at three World Cup tournaments and won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics. He retired in 2012 after playing professional football for 18 years.
9: Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
Didier Drogba is a retired Ivorian striker who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time. He began his career in France with Le Mans before moving to Guingamp and then Marseille. Drogba then moved to Chelsea, where he won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League.
Drogba was known for his physicality, aerial ability, and his ability to score crucial goals.
He also won two African Player of the Year awards and was named the Premier League Player of the Season in 2009-10.
Drogba represented Ivory Coast at three World Cup tournaments and won the African Cup of Nations twice. He retired in 2018 after playing professional football for 20 years.
8: Benni McCarthy (South Africa)
Benni McCarthy is a retired South African striker who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time. He began his career in South Africa before moving to Ajax, where he won the Eredivisie title. McCarthy then moved to Porto, where he won the UEFA Champions League and the Primeira Liga.
McCarthy was known for his finishing ability, speed, and his ability to score crucial goals.
He also won the African Player of the Year award in 1998. McCarthy represented South Africa at two World Cup tournaments and won the African Cup of Nations once. He retired in 2013 after playing professional football for 18 years.
7: Roger Milla (Cameroon)
Roger Milla is a retired Cameroonian striker who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.
He began his career in Cameroon before moving to France, where he played for Monaco and Montpellier. Milla then returned to Cameroon and played for Tonnerre Yaoundé and Canon Yaoundé.
Milla was known for his speed, skill, and his ability to score crucial goals. He also won two African Cup of Nations titles and was named the African Player of the Year in 1976. Milla represented Cameroon at three World Cup tournaments and scored four goals in the 1990 World Cup, where he led Cameroon to the quarter-finals.
He retired in 1996 after playing professional football for 22 years.
6: George Weah (Liberia)
George Weah is a retired Liberian striker who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.
He began his career in Liberia before moving to Cameroon, where he played for Tonnerre Yaoundé. Weah then moved to Monaco, where he won the Ligue 1 title and the French Cup.
Weah was known for his speed, technical ability, and his ability to score crucial goals.
He also won the Ballon d’Or in 1995 and was named the African Player of the Year three times.
Weah represented Liberia at one World Cup tournament and won the African Cup of Nations once. He retired in 2003 after playing professional football for 18 years.
5: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
Samuel Eto’o is a retired Cameroonian striker who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.
He began his career in Cameroon before moving to Spain, where he played for Real Madrid, Mallorca, and Barcelona. Eto’o then moved to Inter Milan, where he won the UEFA Champions League and the Serie A title.
Eto’o was known for his speed, technical ability, and his ability to score crucial goals.
He also won the African Player of the Year award four times. Eto’o represented Cameroon at four World Cup tournaments and won the African Cup of Nations twice. He retired in 2019 after playing professional football for 22 years.
4: Abedi Pele (Ghana)
Abedi Pele is a retired Ghanaian striker who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.
He began his career in Ghana before moving to France, where he played for Lille and Marseille. Pele then moved to Switzerland, where he played for Zurich and St. Gallen.
Pele was known for his speed, technical ability, and his ability to score crucial goals.
He also won the African Player of the Year award three times.
Pele represented Ghana at three African Cup of Nations tournaments and won the tournament once. He retired in 2000 after playing professional football for 18 years.
3: Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)
Yaya Toure is a retired Ivorian midfielder who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.
He began his career in Ivory Coast before moving to Belgium, where he played for Beveren and KSK Beveren.
Toure then moved to Ukraine, where he played for Metalurh Donetsk, before moving to Greece, where he played for Olympiacos.
He then moved to Spain, where he played for Barcelona and won two UEFA Champions League titles.
Toure was known for his technical ability, passing range, and his ability to score crucial goals.
He also won the African Player of the Year award four times. Toure represented Ivory Coast at three World Cup tournaments and won the African Cup of Nations twice. He retired in 2019 after playing professional football for 19 years.
2: Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria)
Jay-Jay Okocha is a retired Nigerian midfielder who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.
He began his career in Nigeria before moving to Germany, where he played for Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund. Okocha then moved to Turkey, where he played for Fenerbahce and won the Super Lig title twice.
Okocha was known for his technical ability, dribbling skills, and his ability to score crucial goals.
He also won the African Player of the Year award twice. Okocha represented Nigeria at three World Cup tournaments and won the African Cup of Nations once. He retired in 2008 after playing professional football for 20 years.
1: Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria)
Rashidi Yekini is a deceased Nigerian striker who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.
He began his career in Nigeria before moving to Ivory Coast, where he played for Africa Sports. Yekini then moved to Portugal, where he played for Vitória de Setúbal and Sporting CP.
Yekini was known for his strength, aerial ability, and his ability to score crucial goals.
He was the first player to score a World Cup goal for Nigeria and scored a total of 37 goals in 58 appearances for the national team.
Yekini won the African Cup of Nations once and was named the African Player of the Year in 1993. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 48.
Honorable Mentions
There are several other African strikers who deserve an honorable mention. These players include Hossam Hassan (Egypt), Patrick Mboma (Cameroon), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), and Benni McCarthy (South Africa). These players have all had impressive careers and have made significant contributions to African football.
Concluding Top 10 Best African Strikers of All Time
In conclusion, African football has produced some of the most talented strikers in the world. These players have had impressive careers and have won major trophies. They have also represented their national teams with distinction and have made significant contributions to African football.
The top 10 best African strikers of all time are Nwankwo Kanu, Didier Drogba, Benni McCarthy, Roger Milla, George Weah, Samuel Eto’o, Abedi Pele, Yaya Toure, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Rashidi Yekini.
These players have left an indelible mark on the game and will forever be remembered as some of the greatest footballers to have ever played the game.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
