The Premier League is home to some of the most talented football players from around the world, including many from the African continent. With the 2022/23 season in full swing, it's the perfect time to take a look at some of the top performers from Africa in the Premier League. In this article, we will be ranking the best African players in the Premier League in 2023, considering their performance in recent seasons and their impact on their respective teams.
The Premier League has always been a league known for its diversity and inclusivity, and African players have played a crucial role in its success over the years. From Didier Drogba's heroics with Chelsea to Yaya Toure's dominant midfield displays with Manchester City, African players have left an indelible mark on the league. Below are some of the top performers who are making a significant impact on their teams and the league as a whole.
Top 20 African players in the Premier League in 2023
The best African players in the Premier League include some of the top players who have solely led their teams to significant trophies, earning great respect from clubs and fans. The list of African players in the Premier League includes the current players in various teams, ranked according to the number of goals they have scored.
20. Mohammed Salisu
- Full name: Mohammed Salisu Abdul Karim
- Age: 23 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Current team: Southampton
- Total career goals: 3
Mohammed Salisu plays as a centre-back for Premier League club Southampton and the Ghana national team. He joined The Saints in 2020 and scored 79 appearances, scoring only one goal.
19. Daniel Amartey
- Full name: Daniel Amartey
- Age: 28 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Current team: Leicester City
- Total career goals: 9
Daniel Amartey is a defender who currently plays for Leicester City. He has been with The Foxes since 2015 and has been a strong presence in defence, helping them win the Premier League title in 2015/2016. He is among the most popular black Premier League players in 2023.
18. Mohamed Elneny
- Full name: Mohamed Naser Elsayed Elneny
- Age: 30 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Egyptian
- Current team: Arsenal
- Total career goals: 18
Mohamed Elneny is an Egyptian midfielder currently playing in the English Premier League for Arsenal. He has been a consistent presence in the Gunners' midfield since 2016, providing defensive cover and assisting the team in maintaining possession. He was a member of Egypt's senior national squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, where the country finished second.
17. Wilfred Ndidi
- Full name: Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi
- Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Current team: Leicester City
- Total career goals: 18
Since joining Leicester, Wilfred Ndidi has become a key player for the club, known for his tough tackling and excellent positional awareness. He has helped the team to win the 2020/21 FA Cup and reach the 2021 Community Shield. Ndidi has also been a regular player for the Nigeria national team since 2015, representing the team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
16. Frank Onyeka
- Full name: Ogochukwu Frank Onyeka
- Age: 25 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Current team: Brentford
- Total career goals: 23
Frank Onyeka joined FC Midtjylland's youth academy in 2012 and made his first-team debut in 2017. In 2021, Onyeka signed for Brentford, who had just been promoted to the Premier League. He has since become a key player for the club, helping them to compete in the top division of English football.
15. Alex Iwobi
- Full name: Alexander Chuka Iwobi
- Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: British-English-Nigerian
- Current team: Everton
- Total career goals: 23
Chuka Iwobi made his first-team debut for Arsenal in 2015 and quickly became a regular player for the club. He helped them win two FA Cups and the Europa League final. In 2019, he joined Everton and has since become a key player for the club. Iwobi has also represented the Nigeria national team since 2015 and has played in several matches.
14. Thomas Partey
- Full name: Thomas Teye Partey
- Age: 29 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Current team: Arsenal
- Total career goals: 29
The Ghanaian international has been one of the best African players in Europe's EPL. He represented his country in three Africa Cup of Nations (2017, 2019, and 2021) and the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Thomas joined Arsenal in 2020 and has appeared in 86 games, scoring five goals.
13. Joel Matip
- Full name: Job Joël André Matip
- Age: 31 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Cameroonian-German
- Current team: Liverpool
- Total career goals: 34
Joel Matip is known for his propensity for dribbling up the pitch to create momentum and was once regarded as one of the best black Premier League defenders in the world during his prime. He joined Liverpool in 2016 and has played 184 games, scoring ten goals.
12. Jeffrey Schlupp
- Full name: Jeffrey Schlupp
- Age: 30 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: German-Ghanaian
- Current team: Crystal Palace
- Total career goals: 36
Jeffrey Schlupp is known for his extreme pace and athleticism, which allows him to be a versatile option and ability to play anywhere on the left wing. He plays as a forward, winger, or occasional left-back for Premier League club Crystal Palace and the Ghana national team.
11. Naby Keita
- Full name: Naby Laye Keïta
- Age: 28 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Guinean
- Current team: Liverpool
- Total career goals: 52
The Ghanaian international has played an important role in Liverpool's midfield. The 28-year-old midfielder has largely appeared as a substitute, where he has excelled. He has scored 52 goals throughout his career.
10. Maxwel Cornet
- Full name: Gnaly Albert Maxwel Cornet
- Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Ivorian
- Current team: West Ham United
- Total career goals: 61
Maxwel Cornet is an Ivorian winger who currently plays for West Ham United. He joined the club on August 5, 2022. He agreed to a five-year contract with a one-year option. He has also previously played for Lyon, Burnley, and Metz.
9. Kelechi Iheanacho
- Full name: Kelechi Promise Iheanacho
- Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Current team: Leicester City
- Total career goals: 74
Kelechi Iheanacho made his professional debut for Manchester City in 2015 and won several domestic titles, including the Premier League, before joining Leicester City in 2017. He has since become a key player for the club, scoring many important goals and helping them to reach the FA Cup final in 2021.
8. Jordan Ayew
- Full name: Jordan Pierre Ayew
- Age: 31 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Current team: Crystal Palace
- Total career goals: 78
Jordan Ayew is a Ghanaian striker who plays for Crystal Palace in the English Premier League. The 31-year-old has been an important player for Palace since joining the club in 2019, scoring crucial goals and helping his team maintain their position in the league.
7. Bertrand Traore
- Full name: Bertrand Isidore Traoré
- Age: 27 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Burkinabe
- Current team: Aston Villa
- Total career goals: 81
Bertrand Traore joined Chelsea's youth academy in 2013 and made his first-team debut for the club in 2015. After leaving Chelsea in 2017, Traore joined the French club Lyon, where he continued to impress with his performances. In 2020, he signed for Aston Villa, where he has become a regular player and has scored several goals for the club.
6. Wilfried Zaha
- Full name: Dazet Wilfried Armel Zaha
- Age: 30 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: English-Ivorian
- Current team: Crystal Palace
- Total career goals: 89
Zaha started his football career at Crystal Palace and quickly became a star player for the club, earning a move to Manchester United in 2013. However, he struggled to establish himself at United and returned to Crystal Palace on loan before rejoining the club permanently in 2015.
5. Patson Daka
- Full name: Patson Daka
- Age: 24 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Zambian
- Current team: Leicester City
- Total career goals: 89
Daka began his football career at the Kafue Celtic Academy in Zambia before joining the youth academy of Red Bull Salzburg in Austria in 2017. He made his senior debut for the club in 2018 and has since established himself as one of the top scorers in the Austrian Bundesliga. He currently plays for Leicester City and is known for his pace, skill, and clinical finishing ability in front of the goal.
4. Hakim Ziyech
- Full name: Hakim Ziyech
- Age: 29 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Dutch-Moroccan
- Current team: Chelsea
- Total career goals: 110
Despite not seeing enough action since joining Chelsea from Ajax in 2020, the star has impacted key games for the Blues. He is especially adept at playing deft balls over the defence.
3. Riyad Mahrez
- Full name: Riyad Karim Mahrez
- Age: 32 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Algerian-French
- Current team: Manchester City
- Total career goals: 158
Riyad Mahrez is one of the best African players in Premier League history. He joined Le Havre's youth academy in 2010 and made his first-team debut for the club in 2011.
He later moved to the English Premier League, signing for Leicester City in 2014. In 2018, Mahrez signed for Manchester City, where he has won several titles, including the Premier League and the Community Shield. He is known for his excellent dribbling skills, pace, and ability to score crucial goals.
2. Mohamed Salah
- Full name: Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly
- Age: 30 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Egyptian
- Current team: Liverpool
- Total career goals: 255
Who is the best African player in the EPL? Liverpool's forward is regarded as the best on the list of all African players in the Premier League. The Egyptian international began the year by guiding his country to the Africa Cup of Nations final, where Senegal defeated them on penalty kicks.
Salah has thrived for the Reds during his half-decade spell, winning the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup, and Club World Cup. He is now the leading scorer in the League.
1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
- Full name: Pierre-Emerick Emiliano François Aubameyang
- Age: 33 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: French
- Current team: Chelsea
- Total career goals: 304
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang plays as a striker for Premier League club Chelsea. He is one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the league and has been a key player for Arsenal since joining the club in 2022. He has so far scored three goals and made 18 appearances.
How many black players are in the Premier League?
The Premier League has a significant number of black players from different countries worldwide, and they play for various clubs in the league. The average estimated number is over 500 players.
Which Premier League club has the most African players?
Some clubs have had a significant number of African players. For instance, in the 2022/2023 season, Leicester City and Watford lead with five players, followed by Arsenal, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Liverpool, each with four players.
Who are the South African players in the Premier League?
Currently, the league has no South African players. However, many players from the country have graced the English first division. The most recent was Percy Tau, who left to join the Egyptian Giants Al Ahly SC.
Who was the first African player in the EPL?
Peter Ndlovu was the first African player to play in the English Premier League (EPL). He is a retired Zimbabwean footballer who played as a forward. He was born on February 25, 1973, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and began his professional football career in 1988 with Highlanders FC in Zimbabwe. He is best known for playing in the English Premier League, where he played for Coventry City from 1991 to 1997.
Summary of the best African players in the Premier League
Below is a table of the best African players of all time in the Premier League.
| Rank | Name | Total career goals |
| 1 | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 304 |
| 2 | Mohamed Salah | 255 |
| 3 | Riyad Mahrez | 158 |
| 4 | Hakim Ziyech | 110 |
| 5 | Patson Daka | 89 |
| 6 | Wilfried Zaha | 89 |
| 7 | Bertrand Traore | 81 |
| 8 | Jordan Ayew | 78 |
| 9 | Kelechi Iheanacho | 74 |
| 10 | Maxwel Cornet | 61 |
| 11 | Naby Keita | 52 |
| 12 | Jeffrey Schlupp | 36 |
| 13 | Joel Matip | 34 |
| 14 | Thomas Partey | 29 |
| 15 | Alex Iwobi | 23 |
| 16 | Frank Onyeka | 23 |
| 17 | Wilfred Ndidi | 18 |
| 18 | Mohamed Elneny | 18 |
| 19 | Daniel Amartey | 9 |
| 20 | Mohammed Salisu | 3 |
There is a very high number of African players in the Premier League, and all of them are representing the continent quite amazingly.
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FAQs
Who is the best African player in EPL history? ›
| Rank | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mohamed Salah | 120 |
| 3. | Sadio Mané | 111 |
| 3. | Didier Drogba | 104 |
| 4. | Emmanuel Adebayor | 97 |
In 1991 the magazine Afrique Football installed an award. It was discontinued in 2003. Samuel Eto'o and Yaya Touré have won the award the most times (4 wins each), Two-time winner Didier Drogba is the player with the most runner-up appearances (4), most third place finishes (3), and most times in the top three (9).
Who is the best Nigerian to play in the Premier League? ›Arguably the best known Nigerian player of the Premier League era, Kanu won a host of honours during an impressive career. He'd already won the Champions League with Ajax and the UEFA Cup with Inter Milan before Arsenal signed him for £4.15million in February 1999.
Which African players have 100 PL goals? ›Didier Drogba was the first African player to reach the hundred goal milestone on 10 March 2012 and Sergio Agüero was the first South American to reach a century of goals on 19 April 2016. In April 2023, Son Heung-min became the most recent player to reach 100 goals, as well as the first Asian.
Which African player has the most international goals? ›Godfrey Chitalu is the most prolific African international footballer of all time, having struck 79 goals in 108 games for Zambia.
Which Premier League club has the highest fans in Africa? ›Which football club has the most fans in Africa? The Premier League clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal are widely supported in the region of Africa. Liverpool also has a notable fan following in the region of Africa.
Which Premier League team has the most Africans? ›Which Premier League clubs have the most African players? Leicester City and Watford have the most African players in Premier League football as of October 2021. The two clubs have five football stars each from the continent.
Who is the best striker in Africa currently? ›Mohamed Salah is the best active African footballer in the world. The “Egyptian King” is ranked 6th worldwide by FIFA, and has helped his club Liverpool win numerous prestigious trophies, Seatpick has revealed.
Who is the legend of African football? ›Abedi Pele, who is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time. He was chosen by the CAF Football Confederation as the Best African Player three times in 1991, 1992 and 1993. He was also named the African Player of The Year by BBC in 1992.
Who is the best dribbler in Africa? ›
Best African Football Players in 2022
The Nigerian football legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha is one of the most iconic and talented players ever to grace the game. His dribbling skills and moments of brilliance have been remembered by fans and pundits alike, cementing his place as one of the all-time greatest.
2023 African Footballer of the Year: Salah, Mane struggling – Ikpeba names player to win award. Former AS Monaco striker, Victor Ikpeba has backed Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen to win this year's African Footballer of the Year award ahead of Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane.
Which African player won the Golden Boot? ›...
Winners.
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Player | Rodney Ramagalela |
| Nationality | South Africa |
| Club | Polokwane City |
| Goals | 11 |
The BET Award for Best International Act: Africa was an award given to honor the outstanding achievements of international artists from Africa every year before being combined with other BET Award international acts. Wizkid holds the record for most wins in this category.
Who is Nigeria best player of all time? ›- Jay- Jay Okocha. Position: Attacking Midfielder. Caps: 73. Goals: 14. ...
- Rashidi Yekini. Position: Striker. Caps: 62. Goals: 37. ...
- Vincent Enyeama. Position: Goalkeeper. Caps: 101. ...
- John Mikel Obi. Position: Central Midfielder. Caps: 90. ...
- Joseph Yobo. Position: Centre-back. Caps: 101.
CHELSEA F.C.
In England, the fiercest rivals with the highest fan base are Manchester United and Liverpool. However, in Nigeria, Chelsea and Manchester United take the spot. Chelsea, alongside Manchester United, has the biggest and loudest fans in Nigeria.
- Paul Onuachu (Genk/Belgium) ...
- Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City/England) ...
- Simy Nwankwo (Crotone/Italy) ...
- Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City/England) ...
- Terem Moffi (Lorient/France) ...
- Umar Sadiq (Almeria/Spain) ...
- William Troost-Ekong (Watford/England) ...
- Joe Aribo (Rangers/Scotland)
The 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year award was won by George Weah. He is the first African player to win the award and the only one to date. The gala took place at the Teatro Nazionale in Milan, on January 8, 1996.
Which English team has the most African players? ›“With Salah and Mané in their ranks, it is unsurprising that Liverpool is also the club with the highest total squad value attributed to African players, with Guinean midfielder Naby Keita and Cameroon defender Joel Matip also part of the team.”
How many African players have won World Best? ›To date, the only African player to ever win the Ballon d'Or, Weah clinched the award in 1995—the first year that the prize was opened to non-European players. In that year, he defeated Jurgen Klinsmann—in second place—by 144 votes to 108, and would also pick up 13 votes the year afterwards.
Who are the most successful African nations in football? ›
Egypt is the most successful nation in the cup's history, winning the tournament seven times. Three trophies have been awarded during the tournament's history, with Ghana, and Cameroon winning the first two versions to keep after each of them won a tournament three times. The current trophy was first awarded in 2002.
Who is the first African player to score 100 international goals? ›Portia Modise (born 20 June 1983) is a South African footballer who was named Player of the Championship at the 2006 Women's African Football Championship. She represented the South Africa national team at the 2012 London Olympics. She became the first African player to score 100 international goals.
Who is Ghana highest goal scorer? ›| Rank | League | TeamForm Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morocco-Botola Pro | 63.9 |
| 2 | Algeria-Ligue 1 | 63.0 |
| 3 | Tunisia-Ligue 1 | 61.2 |
| 4 | Egypt-Premier League | 59.6 |
Manchester United F.C
The Red Devil, whose home ground is the old Trafford, tops the list of the football teams with the highest fan base in Nigeria.
Al Ahly SC
The Cario-based club Al Ahly is considered the most successful globally by trophy count. The club has won all CAF club competitions in the modern era, including the CAF Champions League, CAF Confederations Cup and the CAF Super Cup.
It is not a surprise that Manchester United is the most popular club in southern Africa. They are the most successful team in the history of the EPL, winning 13 titles since the league started in 1992. They also signed one of South Africa's biggest stars, Quinton Fortune, who played for the Red Devils for seven years.
What is the strongest team in Africa? ›| Rank | Club / Country | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mamelodi Sundowns FC South Africa | 1654 |
| 2 | Al Ahly Egypt | 1639 |
| 3 | Wydad Casablanca Morocco | 1630 |
| 4 | Esperance de Tunis Tunisia | 1605 |
Here are some of the biggest sports leagues in Africa: Premier Soccer League (South Africa) Egyptian Premier League (Egypt) Morocco Botola Pro (Morocco)
Who has the best weapons in Africa? ›Egypt has the strongest military forces in Africa in 2023 thanks to its conventional fighting capacity. Egypt has a score of 0.22, the highest in Africa. Trailing behind Egypt in the list are Algeria and South Africa in second and third positions, with scores of 0.39 and 0.48, respectively.
Who is the best striker in the world so far? ›
Despite not having Kylian Mbappe's natural talent or marketability, Erling Haaland is currently the best striker in the world at what a striker is paid to do: score goals. Haaland is an incredible anomaly and a freak of nature.
Who is the most complete striker in the world? ›Lionel Messi
Who is the No 1 striker in the world? Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the greatest strikers of all time, having won six Ballon d'Or awards.
Not only is Ato Yidnekechew Tessema called the "Father of Modern Sport in Ethiopia" but also the "Father of Sport in Africa".
Who is the head of African FIFA? ›Issa Hayatou Biography. FIFA. Issa Hayatou re-elected as CAF President.
How many Nigeria players won Africa best? ›Aside Kanu who won the African Player award twice in 1996 and 1999, other Nigerian players to have been awarded the CAF prize include Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amunike (1994), and Victor Ikpeba (1997).
Who is better dribbler than Neymar? ›| Player | Career | Titles won |
|---|---|---|
| Diego Maradona | 1976-1997 | FIFA World Cup, UEFA Cup, Serie A |
| Neymar | 2009-present | Champions League, La Liga, Ligue 1 |
| Ronaldinho | 1998-2015 | Champions League, FIFA World Cup, La Liga, Serie A |
| Johan Cruyff | 1964-1984 | Eridivisie, European Cup, La Liga |
this season at least.
Who is the No 1 dribbler of all time? ›Garrincha
While most football legends are remembered by the goals they have scored, this man is remembered for his sublime dribbling. He goes by the name Garrincha and is widely regarded as the greatest ever dribbler in the world of football.
Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane are three of the best strikers in FM23. Kylian Mbappé is undoubtedly the best young striker in FM23, closely followed by Erling Braut Haaland.
Who was the best Arsenal striker? ›Joe Baker, 1962-66 – Prolific striker with 100 goals in 156 games. Jack Lambert, 1926-33 – Part of the formidable 1930s Arsenal. Scored 109 goals. Jimmy Brain, 1923-31 – Club's top goal scorer in four seasons in a row.
Who is the best attacker in Europe 2023? ›
#1 Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
The Norwegian's presence has transformed Manchester City's attack this season. Haaland has netted four goals in his last five appearances across all competitions for the Cityzens.
Eusebio and Ruud Gullit were the first two Black footballers to win the Ballon d'Or but when George Weah claimed the prize in 1995, it was a big deal for Black and, specifically, African players beyond Europe's borders.
Who is the highest goal scorer of all time in PSL? ›1. SIYABONGA NOMVETHE [123 goals]
Which country bets the most in Africa? ›Nigeria is the most populous nation in Africa, and sports betting is a massive industry in the country, with bettors contributing an astounding $2 billion per year.
Who is the first African to win World Best? ›George Weah
To date, the only African player to ever win the Ballon d'Or, Weah clinched the award in 1995—the first year that the prize was opened to non-European players.
Conversation. Wizkid is the Most Awarded African Artist in BET Awards history (3 awards), MOBO Awards history (6 awards), Billboard Music Awards history (3 awards), Soul Train Awards history (3 awards) and iHeart Radio Awards history (2 awards).
Which African player has the most goals in Europe? ›Salah sets yet another record
The 30-year-old has now overtaken Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as the leading African goalscorer in European competitions.
Only one of two Africans (alongside Riyad Mahrez) to win the Premier League title with two different clubs, Toure was an integral part of Arsenal's Invincibles season in 2003/04, making 55 appearances in all competitions as the Gunners went unbeaten in the Premier League.
Who is the only South African to win the Premier League? ›Quinton Fortune (born 21 May 1977) is a South African professional football coach and former player, who played as both a midfielder and a defender.
Who is the goal king in Ghana? ›
- Asamoah Gyan. 109. 2003 - 2019.
- Edward Acquah. 1956 - 1964.
- Kewasi Owusu. 1968 - 1976.
- Tony Yeboah. 1985 - 1997.
- Karim Abdul Razak. 1975 - 1988.
- Andre Ayew. 107. 2007 - present.
- Wilberforce Mfum. 1960 - 1968.
- Sulley Muntari. 2002 - 2014.
Rashidi Yekini is the all-time leading goalscorer for the Nigerian national football team, with 37 goals.
Which Ghanaian player has most goals in EPL? ›“With Salah and Mané in their ranks, it is unsurprising that Liverpool is also the club with the highest total squad value attributed to African players, with Guinean midfielder Naby Keita and Cameroon defender Joel Matip also part of the team.”