Since the inception of the Premier League in 1992, African footballers have left an indelible mark on England’s top flight. From match-winning performances to unforgettable moments of magic, they’ve dazzled crowds, broken records, and lifted trophies — all while carrying the pride of an entire continent.
But with so many icons having graced the league — from golden boot winners to midfield maestros and defensive warriors — picking an all-time XI is no easy feat. After intense deliberation and a healthy dose of nostalgia, we’ve assembled what we believe is the ultimate team of African stars who’ve conquered the English Premier League.
Here’s our African Premier League All-Time XI, lining up in a classic 4-3-3.
ÉDOUARD MENDY – GK
The France-born Senegalese shot-stopper was a reliable figure between the sticks for Chelsea FC. After signing for Chelsea in 2019, he became the first African goalkeeper to play for Chelsea, and he waltzed straight into the starting lineup. His start to life in England elicited echoes of Petr Cech’s tenure at Chelsea. He was an indomitable presence at the heart of Chelsea’s defense, keeping a record-equalling nine clean sheets to help Chelsea win their second UEFA Champions League title at the end of the 2020/2021 season.
He capped off his memorable debut season in England with the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year award and The FIFA Best Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2021. After falling out of favour during the 2022/2023 season, he was sold to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli in the summer of 2023.
He picked up winners’ medals in the UEFA Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup as well as the African Cup of Nations during his stint with the Blues.
LAUREN – RB
Famed for his role in helping Arsenal secure invincibles status in the 2004/2005 season, Lauren was an instrumental figure in Arsenal’s success during his stint with the North London side. He shook off the disappointments of an injury-plagued debut season in England, and he replaced Lee Dixon as Arsenal’s first-choice right-back. He was a reliable figure as he racked up 32 league appearances to help the Gunners go unbeaten throughout the season, bagging a spot in the PFA Team of the Year in the process.
He was a regular for Arsenal during his stint with the North London side before he was offloaded to Portsmouth following a prolonged injury spell that saw him lose his spot in the team, bringing an end to a memorable spell with The Gunners that saw him win two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two FA Community Shields. At Portsmouth, his versatility kept him off the bench, and he helped the club to their unforgettable 2008 FA Cup triumph.
KOLO TOURE – CB
The elder sibling of the Toure brothers, Kolo Toure, had a stellar career in England’s top flight that spanned 14 years. Kolo made 353 Premier League appearances and netted for his team on 12 occasions. He started his career in a defensive midfield role, but following a series of experiments at different positions, he established himself as a mainstay in the heart of Arsenal’s backline.
He was a key figure in Arsenal’s Invincibles’ triumph in the 2003/2004 season. He formed a formidable defensive partnership with Philippe Senderos in the 2005/2006 season, helping Arsenal reach the final of the 2006 UEFA Champions League, where they lost to FC Barcelona. The partnership recorded an European record 10 consecutive clean sheets en route to the final.
Following a trophy-laden stint with Arsenal, he moved to Manchester City in the summer of 2009. Alongside his younger brother Yaya, he helped Manchester City win their first league title in 44 years in the 2011/2012 season. He signed for Liverpool on a free transfer in 2013, and he was a fan favourite during his three-year stint with the Reds.
He is one of two Africans to win the Premier League title with multiple clubs and one of the ten players to have done so in EPL history. He is the African player with the most Premier League appearances in history.
LUCAS RADEBE – CB
A name that might be totally unfamiliar to the younger generation, Lucas Radebe was a stalwart presence in Leeds United’s defence during their glorious days in the Premier League. The South African defender’s exceptional defensive abilities made up for his lack of efficiency in front of the opposition goal.
The towering centre-back captained Leeds to a fourth-place finish in the 1998–99 season and followed it up with a third-placed finish in the Premier League in 1999/2000 season. Lucas Radebe was highly regarded in England and owing to his loyalty to Leeds, he turned down a move to Alex Ferguson’s high-flying Manchester United side, AS Roma and AC Milan.
Lucas Radebe sustained devastating knee and ankle injuries in 2000, which kept him sidelined for over a year. His career in England’s top flight came to an end in the 2003/2004 season when Leeds was relegated to the Championship. The centre-back recorded 197 appearances in a career that spanned ten years in the English League, keeping 57 clean sheets for the West Yorkshire outfit.
CELESTINE BABAYARO – LB
Celestine Babayaro was signed for a record fee for a teenager in 1997 from Anderlecht. However, an unfortunate injury in December 1997 ruled him out for the rest of the season. Babayaro shook off the woes of his first season and established himself as a starter with the West London side for a prolonged period before falling out of favour totally under Jose Mourinho.
A move to Newcastle United followed in January 2005, where he established himself as the first-choice left-back. Injury problems led to the mutual termination of his contract in 2007, bringing an end to his 11-year stint in the Premier League. He picked up a total of four trophies in the books of Chelsea, getting his hands on European and domestic silverware in West London.
MIKEL JOHN OBI – CM
Mikel John Obi edges Michael Essien in this team owing to his longevity in the Premier League. Following a protracted transfer battle between Manchester United and Chelsea FC for his signature, he eventually moved to the London side and went on to ascend to legendary status.
His ability to snuff out opposition attacks with ease and his wide passing range made him a valuable asset to the Blues, thriving in a defensive midfield role under different Chelsea managers. His reliable performances with The Blues made him a fan favourite in West London.
He was vital to Chelsea’s maiden UCL triumph in 2012, putting in a great defensive shift to thwart Bayern Munich’s attacks in the final. In a Premier League career spanning 11 years, he picked up two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Europa League, and one FA Community Shield title.
YAYA TOURE – CM
Undoubtedly one of the most gifted players to come out of the African continent, Yaya Toure was a one-man midfield commando who could do it all on the football pitch. On arriving at Manchester City from Barcelona in 2010, he wasted no time establishing himself as a starter and fan favourite.
He bagged crucial goals in City’s title-winning FA Cup run in the 2010/2011 season, helping the club to its first trophy in 35 years and writing himself into Manchester City folklore. The following season, he helped City to their first league title in over 40 years.
His 2013/14 campaign was one of the history books. He netted 20 league goals and provided 9 assists, becoming only the second midfielder to score 20 goals in a Premier League season, after Frank Lampard. Toure completed more passes than any other player that season as City stormed to the Premier League title. He departed City at the end of the 2017/2018 season, bringing an end to an iconic stint in England.
RIYAD MAHREZ – AM
Having burst onto the scene with Leicester City in the Championship in 2014, he helped them secure promotion to the English League that season. In his second season in the English top flight, he led them to a historic Premier League triumph in the 2015/2016 season. His superb performances earned him the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year award, the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, and the Leicester City Player of the Year award.
Following his exceptional performances at Leicester, he secured a move to Manchester City in 2018, and he won an English domestic treble in his maiden season with The Citizens, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup in his first season. The first and only African player to do so!
After a challenging first season, Mahrez established himself in the first team, and he honed his skills further under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. He was aesthetically pleasing to watch, and he pulled the strings seamlessly in City’s frontline. He was an instrumental figure in City’s dominance over the English League during his time in Manchester. His stay in England culminated with City’s continental treble triumph in the 2022/2023 season. His five Premier League titles are the most by an African Player in history. He departed City for Al-Ahli at the end of that season, bringing an end to a successful stint that saw him bag eleven trophies with the Cityzens.
MOHAMED SALAH – RW
Liverpool’s Egyptian King has won every possible trophy in England with the Reds and countless individual trophies to boot: two PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards, three Premier League Golden Boots, the Premier League Player of the Season award, the Playmaker of the Season award, and numerous other awards. He hit the ground running following his arrival in Merseyside in 2017, spearheading Liverpool’s return to dominance in England and globally.
Mo Salah is unarguably the greatest African player to grace the English League. His debut season with Liverpool in 2017/2018 is one of the greatest individual seasons in English football history. Salah has eclipsed his heroics from that season in this current season, and barring a monumental bottling by Liverpool, he should add a league title to his trophy cabinet. He is the highest-scoring African in EPL history and the third-highest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history.
DIDIER DROGBA – ST
Didier Drogba: Chelsea’s big game player, the unrivaled man for the biggest occasions. He was virtually unplayable for most parts of his spell with the West London outfit. Tap-ins, headers, free kicks, penalties; name it. Drogba could do it all! He was the first African to record a century of league goals in England’s top flight, and he remains the third-highest scoring African player in EPL history. Additionally, he is Chelsea’s highest scoring foreign player and the club’s fourth highest goalscorer of all time.
Chelsea fans fondly remember him for his late equalising goal, which took the 2012 final against Bayern Munich to extra time, and his winning penalty in the shootout. His second stint with the Blues in the 2014/2015 season culminated in a fourth Premier League title, adding to his collection of four FA Cups and three League Cups -14 trophies across a nine-year spell. He is the African player with the second-highest number of EPL titles, second only to Riyad Mahrez.
SADIO MANE – LW
Sadio Mane’s credentials speak for him: 1 Premier League winners medal, 1 Golden Boot, 2 African Footballer of the Year awards, 1 UEFA Champions League title, 1 UEFA Super Cup award, and countless defenders sent into retirement. He arrived in the Premier League in 2014, joining Southampton from RB Salzburg. Mane announced his name in grand style with a record-breaking hat-trick in 2 minutes and 56 seconds against Aston Villa in 2015, cementing his place in EPL history for years to come.
A move to Liverpool followed in 2016, and that was when he became world-class. He formed a devastating partnership with Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino in Liverpool’s attack, leading the Reds to global dominance. He finished second in the 2022 Ballon d’Or rankings. He is only the third African Player to net 100 Premier League goals, finishing his EPL career with 111 league goals, second only to Mo Salah.
