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Legends of Africa
A team across generations. Build your eleven, then explore the careers.
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A team across generations
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The 33 of Legends of Africa.
Editorial order, with a career scene and sources behind every name.
01
GW
George Weah 75 caps (Liberia) · 18 goals · AS Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain · 1× Ballon d'OrOn 22 November 1996 he collected the ball inside his own penalty area at San Siro, ran the length of the field past every Verona player who came at him, and finished.
ST1986–2003
03
Mohamed Salah 
115 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Egypt) · 67 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · Al Mokawloon Al Arab SC, FC BaselHis first season at Liverpool ended with 32 league goals in 38 games, still the most anyone has managed in a 38-match Premier League season.
RM2011–
Mohamed Salah 115 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Egypt) · 67 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · Al Mokawloon Al Arab SC, FC BaselHis first season at Liverpool ended with 32 league goals in 38 games, still the most anyone has managed in a 38-match Premier League season.
RM2011–
04
Samuel Eto'o 
118 caps (Cameroon) · 56 goals · FC Barcelona, Inter MilanThiago Motta's red card at Camp Nou on 28 April 2010 turned Cameroon's finest striker into a right-back, and Eto'o spent the rest of that Champions League semi-final defending against the club that had sold him.
ST1997–2014
Samuel Eto'o 118 caps (Cameroon) · 56 goals · FC Barcelona, Inter MilanThiago Motta's red card at Camp Nou on 28 April 2010 turned Cameroon's finest striker into a right-back, and Eto'o spent the rest of that Champions League semi-final defending against the club that had sold him.
ST1997–2014
05
JO
Jay-Jay Okocha 
75 caps (Nigeria) · 14 goals · Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-GermainFive Karlsruhe defenders, some of them twice, then Oliver Kahn: that was Okocha's route to goal in Frankfurt on 31 August 1993, a strike Kahn still calls dizzying and Jürgen Klopp rates the best in Bundesliga history. The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic gold at Atlanta in 1996 head his list, followed by the 2000 AFCON final with Nigeria, three World Cups, the captaincy of the Super Eagles, and a 1998 move to Paris Saint-Germain that made him the most expensive African footballer of his day.
CAM1993–2006
75 caps (Nigeria) · 14 goals · Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-GermainFive Karlsruhe defenders, some of them twice, then Oliver Kahn: that was Okocha's route to goal in Frankfurt on 31 August 1993, a strike Kahn still calls dizzying and Jürgen Klopp rates the best in Bundesliga history. The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic gold at Atlanta in 1996 head his list, followed by the 2000 AFCON final with Nigeria, three World Cups, the captaincy of the Super Eagles, and a 1998 move to Paris Saint-Germain that made him the most expensive African footballer of his day.
CAM1993–2006
06
RM
Roger Milla 63 caps (Cameroon) · 37 goals · Léopards Douala, SC BastiaIn extra time against Colombia in 1990 he picked René Higuita's pocket outside the box and rolled the ball into an empty net, then danced at the corner flag.
SS1973–1994
63 caps (Cameroon) · 37 goals · Léopards Douala, SC BastiaIn extra time against Colombia in 1990 he picked René Higuita's pocket outside the box and rolled the ball into an empty net, then danced at the corner flag.
SS1973–1994
07
SM
Sadio Mané 
130 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Senegal) · 55 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · Southampton, LiverpoolSouthampton were still goalless against Aston Villa on 16 May 2015 when Mané scored three times in two minutes and fifty-six seconds, and nobody has beaten that Premier League record since.
CAM2012–
130 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Senegal) · 55 (as of 4 October 2026) goals · Southampton, LiverpoolSouthampton were still goalless against Aston Villa on 16 May 2015 when Mané scored three times in two minutes and fifty-six seconds, and nobody has beaten that Premier League record since.
CAM2012–
09
Achraf Hakimi 
99 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Morocco) · Borussia Dortmund, Inter MilanSpain had missed all three of their penalties when Hakimi stepped up in Al Rayyan on 6 December 2022 and dinked a Panenka down the middle to send Morocco into the World Cup quarter-finals. He has three European Cups, one at Real Madrid in 2018 and two at Paris in 2025 and 2026, plus Serie A with Inter in 2021, Ligue 1 every season since he joined Paris, and the African Footballer of the Year award in 2025.
RB2016–
Achraf Hakimi 99 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Morocco) · Borussia Dortmund, Inter MilanSpain had missed all three of their penalties when Hakimi stepped up in Al Rayyan on 6 December 2022 and dinked a Panenka down the middle to send Morocco into the World Cup quarter-finals. He has three European Cups, one at Real Madrid in 2018 and two at Paris in 2025 and 2026, plus Serie A with Inter in 2021, Ligue 1 every season since he joined Paris, and the African Footballer of the Year award in 2025.
RB2016–
10
ME
Michael Essien 
59 caps (Ghana) · SC Bastia, Olympique LyonnaisNine minutes into the semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge on 6 May 2009, a Barcelona clearance dropped to Essien 25 yards out and he volleyed it in off the underside of the bar.
CDM2002–2014
59 caps (Ghana) · SC Bastia, Olympique LyonnaisNine minutes into the semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge on 6 May 2009, a Barcelona clearance dropped to Essien 25 yards out and he volleyed it in off the underside of the bar.
CDM2002–2014
11
RM
Rabah Madjer 
87 caps (Algeria) · 28 goals · NA Hussein Dey, Racing Club de FranceVienna, 77th minute of the 1987 European Cup final: Juary pulled the ball back, Madjer let it run behind his standing leg and flicked it in with his heel, and Porto beat Bayern 2-1.
SS1978–1992
87 caps (Algeria) · 28 goals · NA Hussein Dey, Racing Club de FranceVienna, 77th minute of the 1987 European Cup final: Juary pulled the ball back, Madjer let it run behind his standing leg and flicked it in with his heel, and Porto beat Bayern 2-1.
SS1978–1992
12
Riyad Mahrez 120 caps (Algeria) · 40 goals · Leicester City, Manchester CityNigeria built a wall and laid a man on the grass behind it in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the 2019 semi-final, and Mahrez curled the free kick over both into the top corner.
RM2014–2026
Riyad Mahrez 120 caps (Algeria) · 40 goals · Leicester City, Manchester CityNigeria built a wall and laid a man on the grass behind it in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the 2019 semi-final, and Mahrez curled the free kick over both into the top corner.
RM2014–2026
14
KK
Kalidou Koulibaly 103 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Senegal) · Metz, GenkTwo minutes after Moisés Caicedo levelled for Ecuador on 29 November 2022, Koulibaly answered with a volley that carried Senegal into a World Cup last sixteen for the first time since 2002.
CB2015–
103 (as of 4 October 2026) caps (Senegal) · Metz, GenkTwo minutes after Moisés Caicedo levelled for Ecuador on 29 November 2022, Koulibaly answered with a volley that carried Senegal into a World Cup last sixteen for the first time since 2002.
CB2015–
15
RY
Rashidi Yekini 58 caps (Nigeria) · 37 goals · Shooting Stars SC, VitóriaTwenty-one minutes into Nigeria's first World Cup match, against Bulgaria on 21 June 1994, he ran on into the goal, grabbed the netting with both fists and bellowed through it.
ST1984–1998
58 caps (Nigeria) · 37 goals · Shooting Stars SC, VitóriaTwenty-one minutes into Nigeria's first World Cup match, against Bulgaria on 21 June 1994, he ran on into the goal, grabbed the netting with both fists and bellowed through it.
ST1984–1998
17
SK
Seydou Keita 
102 caps (Mali) · 25 goals · F.C. Lorient, R.C. LensOn 25 October 2009 he scored three against Real Zaragoza, an odd line for a midfielder Barcelona bought to do the covering work.
CM2000–2015
102 caps (Mali) · 25 goals · F.C. Lorient, R.C. LensOn 25 October 2009 he scored three against Real Zaragoza, an odd line for a midfielder Barcelona bought to do the covering work.
CM2000–2015
18
TN
Thomas N'Kono Canon Yaoundé, Tonnerre YaoundéGianluigi Buffon watched him at Italia 90, decided to become a goalkeeper, and later named his first son Louis Thomas after the Cameroonian.
GK1975–1994
Canon Yaoundé, Tonnerre YaoundéGianluigi Buffon watched him at Italia 90, decided to become a goalkeeper, and later named his first son Louis Thomas after the Cameroonian.
GK1975–1994
19
BZ
Badou Zaki 118 caps (Morocco) · AS Salé, Wydad Athletic ClubThree matches in Mexico in June 1986 and one goal past him: goalless against Poland and England, then 3-1 over Portugal, and Morocco walked out of Group F as the first African side to top a World Cup group.
GK1979–1992
118 caps (Morocco) · AS Salé, Wydad Athletic ClubThree matches in Mexico in June 1986 and one goal past him: goalless against Poland and England, then 3-1 over Portugal, and Morocco walked out of Group F as the first African side to top a World Cup group.
GK1979–1992
20
Kolo Touré 
120 caps (Ivory Coast) · Arsenal, Manchester CityHis 2002 Arsenal trial is remembered for a two-footed tackle on Arsène Wenger, who signed him anyway and later called it enthusiasm.
CB2000–2015
Kolo Touré 120 caps (Ivory Coast) · Arsenal, Manchester CityHis 2002 Arsenal trial is remembered for a two-footed tackle on Arsène Wenger, who signed him anyway and later called it enthusiasm.
CB2000–2015
21
SO
Sunday Oliseh 54 caps (Nigeria) · R.F.C. de Liège, 1. FC KölnFernando Hierro's clearing header dropped 25 yards out on 13 June 1998, and Oliseh hit it early and low past Andoni Zubizarreta to beat Spain 3-2.
CDM1993–2002
54 caps (Nigeria) · R.F.C. de Liège, 1. FC KölnFernando Hierro's clearing header dropped 25 yards out on 13 June 1998, and Oliseh hit it early and low past Andoni Zubizarreta to beat Spain 3-2.
CDM1993–2002
23
EE
Essam El-Hadary 159 caps (Egypt) · Damietta SC, Al Ahly SCOn 25 June 2018, aged 45 years and 161 days, he became the oldest man to play at a World Cup and saved Fahad Al-Muwallad's penalty against Saudi Arabia.
GK1996–2018
159 caps (Egypt) · Damietta SC, Al Ahly SCOn 25 June 2018, aged 45 years and 161 days, he became the oldest man to play at a World Cup and saved Fahad Al-Muwallad's penalty against Saudi Arabia.
GK1996–2018
24
L
Lauren Levante UD, RCD MallorcaSigned as a midfielder in 2000, he was moved to right back to succeed Lee Dixon, and he was still there in May 2005 to score Arsenal's first penalty in the FA Cup final shootout against Manchester United.
RB1997–2002
Levante UD, RCD MallorcaSigned as a midfielder in 2000, he was moved to right back to succeed Lee Dixon, and he was still there in May 2005 to score Arsenal's first penalty in the FA Cup final shootout against Manchester United.
RB1997–2002
25
LR
Lucas Radebe 
70 caps (South Africa) · Kaizer Chiefs, Leeds UnitedWhen Nelson Mandela came to Leeds in April 2001 to collect the freedom of the city, he stopped in front of Radebe, said "Ah, Mthimkhulu", then turned to the crowd and called him his hero.
CB1992–2003
70 caps (South Africa) · Kaizer Chiefs, Leeds UnitedWhen Nelson Mandela came to Leeds in April 2001 to collect the freedom of the city, he stopped in front of Radebe, said "Ah, Mthimkhulu", then turned to the crowd and called him his hero.
CB1992–2003
26
MD
Mahamadou Diarra SBV Vitesse, Olympique LyonnaisBefore Real Madrid signed him in 2006, Fabio Capello told president Ramón Calderón the squad needed three players: Diarra, Diarra and Diarra.
CDM2001–2012
SBV Vitesse, Olympique LyonnaisBefore Real Madrid signed him in 2006, Fabio Capello told president Ramón Calderón the squad needed three players: Diarra, Diarra and Diarra.
CDM2001–2012
27
NN
Noureddine Naybet 115 caps (Morocco) · Wydad Athletic Club, Sporting CPAt 34 he joined Tottenham for £700,000 and scored his only goal for them in the 4-5 north London derby of November 2004, a volley past Jens Lehmann in a match with nine different scorers.
CB1990–2006
115 caps (Morocco) · Wydad Athletic Club, Sporting CPAt 34 he joined Tottenham for £700,000 and scored his only goal for them in the 4-5 north London derby of November 2004, a volley past Jens Lehmann in a match with nine different scorers.
CB1990–2006
29
SA
Stephen Appiah 67 caps (Ghana) · 14 goals · Udinese Calcio, JuventusThe penalty against the United States in Nuremberg on 22 June 2006 came in first-half stoppage time, and Appiah put it away to make it 2-1 and carry Ghana into the last 16 at their first World Cup.
CM1995–2010
67 caps (Ghana) · 14 goals · Udinese Calcio, JuventusThe penalty against the United States in Nuremberg on 22 June 2006 came in first-half stoppage time, and Appiah put it away to make it 2-1 and carry Ghana into the last 16 at their first World Cup.
CM1995–2010
30
G
Gervinho 88 caps (Ivory Coast) · 23 goals · Lille OSC, AS RomaFour minutes into stoppage time against Algeria on 1 February 2015, he took Junior Tallo's pass and finished for 3-1, and three days later he scored again as Côte d'Ivoire beat DR Congo to reach the final.
LM2007–2021
88 caps (Ivory Coast) · 23 goals · Lille OSC, AS RomaFour minutes into stoppage time against Algeria on 1 February 2015, he took Junior Tallo's pass and finished for 3-1, and three days later he scored again as Côte d'Ivoire beat DR Congo to reach the final.
LM2007–2021
32
Noussair Mazraoui Ajax, Bayern MunichHis first Champions League goal came at the Allianz Arena on 2 October 2018, a full back arriving in the box to earn Ajax a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich, the club that signed him four years later.
LB2018–
Noussair Mazraoui Ajax, Bayern MunichHis first Champions League goal came at the Allianz Arena on 2 October 2018, a full back arriving in the box to earn Ajax a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich, the club that signed him four years later.
LB2018–
33
Taye Taiwo 53 caps (Nigeria) · Olympique de Marseille, FC Dynamo KyivTwenty-five yards, 84th minute, Port Said, 23 January 2006: Taiwo's free kick beat Ghana 1-0 and was Nigeria's first goal of that Africa Cup of Nations.
LB2004–2011
Taye Taiwo 53 caps (Nigeria) · Olympique de Marseille, FC Dynamo KyivTwenty-five yards, 84th minute, Port Said, 23 January 2006: Taiwo's free kick beat Ghana 1-0 and was Nigeria's first goal of that Africa Cup of Nations.
LB2004–2011
About this XI
Legends of Africa's pool is led by George Weah, Didier Drogba and Mohamed Salah. The 33 covers 3 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 14 midfielders and 6 forwards, with sourced senior international careers spanning the 1970s to the 2020s. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then explore the careers and settle the duels below. Your votes reorder the people's ranking of these 33 in real time.
Who is the greatest Legends of Africa footballer of all time?
The editorial collection starts with George Weah. Its first five careers: George Weah, Didier Drogba, Mohamed Salah, Samuel Eto'o, Jay-Jay Okocha. The people's ranking on this page moves with every duel vote and can disagree.
How were these 33 Legends of Africa players chosen?
The collection covers every position across Legends of Africa's football history. Honours, international records and career achievements inform the editorial order. Each entry opens a career note and its sources. Fan votes in the duels build a separate ranking.
Where can I read about the careers?
Open a player page from the collection to read the career scene, club record and recorded honours. The source links show where the available records come from.
Can I build and share my own Legends of Africa all-time XI?
Yes. Pick one of 8 formations, place any of the 33 players onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.