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Ranking the best African players in the Premier League in 2023
Kenneth Mwenda, Jackline Wangare
updated at May 6, 2023 at 10:34 AM
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.
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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
Source: Getty Images
- 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
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- Full name: Daniel Amartey
- Age: 28 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Current team: Leicester City
- Total career goals: 9
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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
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- 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
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- Full name: Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi
- Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Current team: Leicester City
- Total career goals: 18
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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
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- 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.
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15. Alex Iwobi
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- 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
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- 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.
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13. Joel Matip
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- 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
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- 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.
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11. Naby Keita
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- 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
Source: Getty Images
- 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
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- Full name: Kelechi Promise Iheanacho
- Age: 26 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Current team: Leicester City
- Total career goals: 74
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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
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- 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
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- Full name: Bertrand Isidore Traoré
- Age: 27 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Burkinabe
- Current team: Aston Villa
- Total career goals: 81
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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
Source: Getty Images
- 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
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- Full name: Patson Daka
- Age: 24 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Zambian
- Current team: Leicester City
- Total career goals: 89
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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
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- 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
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- Full name: Riyad Karim Mahrez
- Age: 32 years old (as of 2023)
- Nationality: Algerian-French
- Current team: Manchester City
- Total career goals: 158
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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
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- 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.
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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
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- 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.
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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.
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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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Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.
Jackline Wangare
Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Sports Brief covering sports and lifestyle topics. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University and as a Content Creator (Briefly.co.za, Legit.ng, Tuko.co.ke, Yen.com.gh).
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