The kickoff of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has set the stage for an exhilarating tournament.
Years back, we witnessed incredible football talent in this competition, with players like Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire), Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria), and Abedi Ayew – ‘Pele’ (Ghana).
Continuing its legacy, the renowned tournament introduces more outstanding players in the 2023 edition, such as Sadio Mané (Senegal), Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), and Achraf Hakimi (Morocco).
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the standout players of AFCON, exploring both the seasoned legends and the outstanding talents featured in the 2023 edition.
Let’s begin with the seasoned legends
George Weah, one of the continent’s premier football exports, made a modest contribution to the men’s AFCON tournament.
As the only African to claim both FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or honours, Weah played a role in Liberia’s qualification for the 1996 and 2002 tournaments. However, his nation faced setbacks, failing to progress beyond the group stages on both occasions.
Outlined below are Seven players who have significantly influenced and become synonymous with AFCON, featuring six champions and Didier Drogba, who experienced defeat in two finals.
Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
Samuel Eto’o played a pivotal role during a dominant era for Cameroon. They achieved a significant feat, becoming only the second nation, following Egypt, to secure consecutive AFCON titles in 2000 and 2002.
In 2000, Eto’o contributed significantly with four goals, the same year Cameroon clinched Olympic gold, including the opening goal in the final against Nigeria.
The former Barcelona and Inter striker further solidified his legacy by becoming the all-time top scorer in AFCON history, netting 18 goals across six tournaments. Eto’o notably led the goal-scoring charts with five goals in both the 2006 and 2008 editions.
Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire)
The sole player on our roster who did not secure an AFCON victory, Didier Drogba observed as Côte d’Ivoire claimed the title in 2015, just a year after he retired from international football.
For Drogba, it was a close call, echoing the near misses throughout his career, having lost two AFCON finals in 2006 and 2012. Yet, the former Chelsea striker undoubtedly laid the groundwork for the subsequent triumph.
Drogba stood out as a luminous figure in one of African football’s most thrilling teams, and he remains Côte d’Ivoire’s all-time leading goalscorer with 65 goals in 105 games.
In the AFCON arena, he clinched the top scorer title in 2012 and earned a place in the Team of the Tournament in that year, as well as in 2006 and 2008. This period coincided with Ivory Coast making three consecutive World Cup appearances, despite being unable to progress beyond the group stage each time. Drogba consistently inspired them to dream. His indelible contributions to African football will forever be remembered.
Roger Milla (Cameroon)
A discourse on the greatest African players would be incomplete without acknowledging Roger Milla, renowned for his iconic corner flag dance, notably showcased during the 1990 World Cup where, at 38, he propelled Cameroon to the quarter-finals.
Milla’s goal-scoring prowess played a pivotal role in the Indomitable Lions becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup’s last eight. For the striker, this achievement was just another chapter in a remarkable career spanning four decades.
The recipient of the African Footballer of the Year accolade in 1976 and 1990, Milla achieved the dual distinction of being the best player and top scorer at AFCON in 1986 and 1988, the latter culminating in a victory – four years after their inaugural triumph, where Milla also made significant contributions.
Participating in four AFCON tournaments, Milla left his mark by scoring seven goals in total.
Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria)
A revered figure in the English Premier League and an enduring African football legend, Jay-Jay Okocha transcended his role as a player with a dazzling array of skills, exemplified by his iconic rainbow flicks at Bolton, now etched in football folklore.
Okocha’s profound talent anchored Nigeria’s football for over a decade, evident in his seven Nigerian Footballer of the Year awards spanning from 1995 to 2005. He earned a place in the tournament’s team when Nigeria clinched AFCON in 1994, and although the trophy eluded him thereafter, he emerged as the joint-top scorer and best player in 2004, securing a third-place finish.
In discussions about Nigeria’s best-ever player, Okocha not only holds a prominent position but could be considered the epitome of football excellence.
Abedi Ayew – ‘Pele’ (Ghana)
In an illustrious period for African football, Abedi Ayew stood out as a dazzling star. Garnering the title of African Footballer of the Year from 1991 to 1993, he claimed the top scorer accolade at the 1992 AFCON and secured a spot in the tournament’s team in 1992, 1994, and 1996.
Despite Ghana falling short of the trophy on those occasions, finishing as runners-up in 1992, Ayew had already tasted AFCON success as a 17-year-old, contributing off the bench in the penalty shootout triumph over Libya in the 1982 final.
A pivotal figure in Marseille’s 1993 Champions League victory, Ayew earned the moniker “Pele” before reaching the pinnacle of his career. Remarkably, three of his sons – Ibrahim, Andre, and Jordan – would later don the Ghanaian jersey, continuing the family’s football legacy.
Ahmed Hassan (Egypt)
Egypt embodies the heritage of AFCON, being the inaugural tournament winner and achieving a unique “three-peat” with consecutive titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010.
At the core of this triumphant period was Ahmed Hassan, named the player of the tournament in both 2006 and 2010. With remarkable longevity that also contributed to his 1998 victory, Hassan holds the record for the most AFCON titles won by a player – a distinction he shares with compatriot Essam El Hadary.
Hassan’s AFCON journey is paralleled only by Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, both having participated in eight tournaments. Upon concluding his career, Hassan amassed 184 international caps, securing the fourth position in the all-time men’s football caps list and standing as the highest among African nations.
Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire)
Navigating to the present, we arrive at Yaya Toure, a prominent figure in the realm of Africa’s finest footballers.
The former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder graced a star-studded Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) team consistently regarded as contenders on the global stage.
Despite their high expectations, the Ivory Coast side, in which Toure played a pivotal role, fell short of advancing from the group stage in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups – their only three appearances in the tournament. Nevertheless, during this era, they consistently contended on the African stage.
After finishing as runners-up in 2006 and 2012, the team secured victory in 2015, with Captain Toure hoisting the trophy moments after scoring in the penalty shootout against Ghana – a thrilling contest that Ivory Coast won 9-8.
Read More:
Africa Cup of Nations History: (Everything You Need To Know)
Full List of African Cup of Nations Winners: Egypt and Cameroon’s Dominance on the Continental Stage
Let’s take a look at outstanding players in the 2023 edition
Below are the top four best players featured in the AFCON 2023 edition
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Prominently, Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool player, distinguishes himself as a global standout and a star in the Premier League, earning praise from Jürgen Klopp as “one of the best players in history.”
Demonstrating his prowess with 14 goals in the current Premier League season, Salah is determined to surmount the setback of Egypt’s second-place finish in AFCON 2021. His quest for redemption aligns with the pursuit of a significant title in his illustrious career.
Sadio Mané (Senegal)
Undoubtedly, the Senegalese footballer emerges as a leading figure in the spotlight of AFCON 2023, and the reasons are evident. As an Al-Nassr player, he is poised to defend the champion title secured in the previous AFCON (2021) with Senegal, marking a historic first for the nation.
Acknowledged as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, Mané’s exceptional performance played a pivotal role in crafting Senegal’s unprecedented football achievement. Amidst his recent marriage to Aisha Timba, this newfound source of motivation is anticipated to radiate on the field.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
At 25 years old, Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian player, stands as one of Africa’s most promising talents and ranks among the premier young players of today. Notably, he clinched the African Best Player of the Year award in 2023.
As he embarks on AFCON 2023, Osimhen carries the aspiration of securing his fourth Africa Cup of Nations title, to match Ghana’s position as the third most successful team in the tournament’s history. Following a remarkable 2023, marked by winning the Serie A with Napoli and garnering individual accolades, Osimhen emerged as a standout star to keep a close eye on.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
At 25 years old, Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan defender, unquestionably emerges as a standout figure to track in the forthcoming AFCON.
As one of the globe’s premier defenders and a member of PSG, Hakimi carries the ambition to secure Morocco’s second title. His objective is to display his exceptional skills and play a pivotal role in propelling Morocco to success, building on their notable performance in the 2022 World Cup.
Soruces: Olympics.com / beinsports.com
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the blog post provides a comprehensive overview of seasoned legends in African football, highlighting their contributions to the AFCON tournament. It also introduces four standout players featured in the 2023 edition, emphasising their achievements and impact on their respective national teams.
FAQs:
Q. Who are some of the seasoned legends mentioned in the blog post?
Ans: The seasoned legends include Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, Roger Milla, Jay-Jay Okocha, Abedi Ayew – ‘Pele’, Ahmed Hassan, and Yaya Toure.
Q. What notable achievements did Samuel Eto’o have in AFCON?
Ans: Samuel Eto’o played a pivotal role in Cameroon’s consecutive AFCON titles in 2000 and 2002. He became the all-time top scorer in AFCON history, netting 18 goals across six tournaments.
Q. Did Didier Drogba ever win an AFCON title?
Ans: Didier Drogba did not win an AFCON title during his playing career, but he played a crucial role in Côte d’Ivoire’s triumph in 2015, just a year after he retired from international football.
Q. Which player is considered the best-ever player for Nigeria?
Ans: Jay-Jay Okocha is considered one of the best-ever players in Nigeria. He earned a place in the AFCON tournament team in 1994 and emerged as the joint top scorer and best player in 2004.
Q. Who is the player with the most AFCON titles, as mentioned in the blog post?
Ans: Ahmed Hassan, an Egyptian player, holds the record for the most AFCON titles won by a player, with victories in 1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010.
Q. Who are the top four players featured in the AFCON 2023 edition?
Ans: The top four players featured in the AFCON 2023 edition are Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mané (Senegal), Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), and Achraf Hakimi (Morocco).