Michael Essien named in Top 10 current African Footballers

Published on: 28 July 2014
Michael Essien named in Top 10 current African Footballers
Mohammed Salah

10) MOHAMED SALAH

Mohamed Salah became the latest addition to the ambitious Chelsea line up in last season’s winter transfer window. The Egyptian winger had an exceptional season for Swiss side Basel before joining Chelsea and was voted the best player in the Swiss super league in 2013. The 22 year old has also had a phenomenal start to his international career, scoring 17 goals in just 29 appearances for the Egyptian national team.

9) PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang joined Dortmund in July 2013 and has made an immediate impact, scoring 13 goals. His pace and quick dribbling technique has made him quickly adapt to Dortmund’s counter attacking style of football. The 25 year old is also key to his nation’s hopes and has scored 12 goals in 34 appearances for the Gabon national team.

8) EMMANEUL ADEBAYOR

Emmanuel Adebayor
Emmanuel Adebayor
The Togolese footballer has played for several top clubs in his career including the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Monaco, Manchester City and Tottenham. Adebayor is known for his towering presence in front of the goal and is a major areal threat to the opposition teams. He is currently the all time top scorer of the Togo national team with 29 goals.

7) MICHAEL ESSIEN

Michael Essien
Michael Essien
Essien achieved worldwide recognition during his long career for premier league giant Chelsea. He is known for his energetic runs in the midfield and his tough tackling techniques have earned him the nickname “The Bison”. Essien can also play as a conventional right back. The Ghanaian international has also been a vital figure in the national team and has represented them in three Africa cup of nations and two world cups.

6) ALEX SONG

Alex Song
Alex Song

Alex song’s potential was recognised by Arsene Wenger at a very young age and the Cameroon international went on to play six successful seasons for the gunners. Strangely, song has not been able to successfully implement his physically imposing style of play for his new club Barcelona. Song has represented his national side Cameroon in the world cup and also the Africa cup of nations.

5) JOHN OBI MIKEL 

Mikel Obi
Mikel Obi

John Obi Mikel has been an established midfielder for Chelsea since 2006. The Nigerian has been a key figure for the Blues for a major part of the Roman Abramovich era. He has been equally effective for his national team Nigeria, winning the African cup of Nations in the year 2013. Mikel also won the champions league with his club Chelsea and became one of the few African players to win Europe’s elite club competition.

4) GERVINHO

Gervinho
Gervinho

Gervinho’s heroics with AS Roma last season has made him a frontrunner to claim the African Footballer of the year award. The Ivoirian’s pace, dribbling and technique was not utilised properly by Arsene Wenger, as Gervinho’s arsenal career amounted to just little more than 2700 minutes. But his reunion with Garcia, his former manager at Lille has helped him rediscover his true self. Gervinho has represented his nation at the Olympics and also the Africa cup of nations.

3) YAYA TOURE

Yaya Toure
Yaya Toure

Yaya Toure is currently one among the best midfielders in the world. He has been the backbone of Manchester City’s defense ever since his transfer from Barcelona in 2010. Known for his ability to combine clear passing skills, technique and physical power on the field, Toure is also a specialist in taking free kicks. Toure has been a part of the Ivory coast national team for a long time, representing them in the world cup.

2) SAMUEL ETO’O

Samuel Eto'o
Samuel Eto'o

Several football pundits would argue that Eto’o is the greatest African player of all time. Such has been the impact of Eto’o, whose tenacity and skill have made him one of the finest strikers of this generation. With three champions league titles with two different clubs and several league titles, Eto’o is easily the most decorated African footballer of all time. He was also a part of the Cameroon national team which won the gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games.

1) DIDIER DROGBA

Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba might no longer be the same player who terrorised the opposition defenders in the premier league but the Ivorian has been the best African footballer for more than a decade now. Drogba is the all time top scorer for his national team Cote d’Ivoire. His personality and appetite for goals during his time at Chelsea, where he won the 2012 champions league, has made him a true footballing icon.

Do you agree this the best 10 African footballers currently or somebody has been overlooked? Let's have your thoughts in the comment box below:

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