- Two Ghanaian greats have been ranked among the top five African footballers of all time
- The list left out some of the continent’s biggest icons, with Samuel Eto’o’s absence standing out the most
- The ranking has sparked heated reactions online, as many fans questioned the omission of several deserving names
When Austin Jay Jay Okocha was asked to name his top five African players of all time, many expected him to lean toward familiar names.
Instead, the former Super Eagles captain stunned fans by rolling out a list that had four forwards and just one midfielder, while leaving out some of the continent’s biggest legends.
Source: Getty Images
Jay Jay Okocha names the top 5 African players of all time
The viral video, which quickly caught fire on social media, showed the 51-year-old carefully picking his top five.
To the shock of many, Okocha left out household names like Nwankwo Kanu, Rashidi Yekini, Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Toure and Ghana’s Michael Essien. Here’s his list:
5. Didier Drogba
Okocha started with Didier Drogba, the towering Ivorian striker who terrorised Premier League defenders during his time at Chelsea.
Drogba’s record speaks for itself: four Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, and four FA Cups, per Sky Sports.
Although the AFCON trophy eluded him, he carried the Elephants to their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2006 and twice won Africa’s top individual prize.
4. Jay Jay Okocha
Never shy of his own ability, Okocha slotted himself into fourth place. And who could argue? For years, he dazzled with jaw-dropping skills that left defenders chasing shadows.
While Drogba’s glory came largely at club level, Okocha’s greatest moments were in the green and white of Nigeria.
He lifted the AFCON trophy in 1994, inspired Nigeria’s famous Dream Team to Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996, and represented his country at three World Cups.
3. Anthony Yeboah
Next on his list was Anthony Yeboah, Ghana’s clinical goal machine. To younger fans, his name may not ring as loud as today’s stars, but Yeboah remains one of Ghana’s deadliest exports to Europe.
In Germany, he won the Bundesliga golden boot twice with Eintracht Frankfurt before moving to Hamburg, where he cemented his place as a club legend.
Later, at Leeds United, his thunderous strikes earned him the nickname “Yegoala” and the Player of the Season award. By the time he left Yorkshire, he had scored 32 goals in just 66 appearances, per Transfermarkt.
2. Abedi Ayew ‘Pele’
Okocha’s runner-up was Abedi Ayew Pele, a player many still hail as Ghana’s greatest of all time.
The midfield magician lit up French football with Marseille, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles in 1991 and 1992.
In the same year, he became the first Ghanaian to be named BBC African Footballer of the Year.
At the international level, he was just as influential. Though Ghana narrowly lost the AFCON final in 1992, Abedi already had a winners’ medal from the 1982 edition, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s finest African talents.
1. George Weah
At the very top of Okocha’s best African list sat George Weah. To this day, the Liberian icon remains the only African to ever win the Ballon d’Or. His stats tell the story: 193 goals and 65 assists in 478 matches.
He was a force in both Ligue 1 and Serie A, topping scoring charts in 1994 and 1996.
On the international stage, he carried Liberia almost single-handedly, making 75 appearances and scoring 18 times.
Source: Getty Images
Fans disagree with Okocha’s list
Not everyone agreed with Okocha’s bold selection.
One fan, @Grant2012, insisted:
“Huh. Wrong, cos the greatest African footballer is not on that list- Samuel Eto’o”
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Another, @abruzzility, did not mince words:
“Talking nonsense, he(Okocha)won’t make the top 15.”
@SampsonFri38792 brought up another legend, writing:
“What about Kalusha Bwaya? He was really great.”
And of course, some simply laughed it off, with @__zoft stating:
“No Eto’o, the most decorated African player of all time? What a joke 😂”
10 highest-paid African footballers
Earlier, YEN.com.gh highlighted the 10 highest-earning African footballers in the world today.
From the Premier League and La Liga to Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, these stars are not only showcasing their talent but also reshaping the financial landscape of global football.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
