5 Africans Who Shone in Champions League Finals Including Didier Drogba and Abedi Pele

• Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane will be angling to join an exclusive list of Africans who powered their sides to Champions League glory when they face Real Madrid
• Didier Drogba’s performance against Bayern Munich remains one of the best showings by an African player in Champions League history
• Other Africans in the list include Abedi Pele who in 1993, helped Olympique Marseille become the first French side to win Europe’s elite competition

The UEFA Champions League final is arguably one of the biggest games in a football calendar year. European teams usually strive to reach this grand stage for a chance at glory. This season’s final will see record winners Real Madrid entertain Liverpool in Paris.

Many players like Cristiano Ronaldo have etched their names in the books of Champions League history. Players of African descent have also had their fair chance at Champions League glory.

Brazilian great Ronaldinho backs Liverpool to win Champions League finals ahead of Real Madrid

Football

Ahead of the Saturday showdown, Goal compiled a list of African Players who have shone in Champions League finals.

1. Didier Drogba (2012 vs Bayern Munich)

Arguably one of the most dominating displays from an African in a Champions League final. Drogba was the face of Chelsea’s pursuit of their maiden European title. The Blues had fumbled a couple of times before.

Not many expected Chelsea to beat heavyweights Bayern Munich in their own home ground in Germany. Thomas Muller has put the Bavarians on course to the title only for the talismanic Drogba to equalize through a bullet header, a few minutes from time.

With the game now down to penalties, the Ivorian stepped up to score the winning penalty to shock Bayern Munich.

2. Samuel Eto’o ( 2006 vs Arsenal)

With four Champions League titles to his name, Eto’o is a revered name in the Champions League history. But it is the 2006 final when he was a Barcelona player that really stood out for him.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin slams Real Madrid’s weak defence ahead of Champions League finals

Football

The Cameroon legend helped the Blaugrana come from behind to win 2-1 and guide Barcelona to its first UCL victory in 14 years

3. Abedi Pele ( 1993 vs AC Milan)

The Black Stars legend guided Olympique Marseille to becoming the first-ever French side to win the European competition. He was involved in the winning goal by delivering a set piece that was turned in by Basile Boli.

4. Joel Matip (2019 vs Tottenham Hotspur)

The retired Indomitable Lions player was decisive in Liverpool’s triumph over Tottenham Hotspur. Matip was key in his defensive duties and assisted Divock Origi in the dying minutes of the game.

5. Edouard Mendy(2021 vs Manchester City)

Mendy was instrumental in Chelsea’s success in 2021. The Senegalese shot-stopper only conceded four goals in the entire campaign prior to facing Manchester City.

He had another solid performance in the final. It was his outfield pass that found Ben Chilwell. Chilwell then released Mason Mount. The Englishman set Kai Havertz on his way to score the only goal of the game.

Champions League final: Sergio Aguero believes that Real Madrid have better chances against Liverpool

Football

He won the FIFA Best Goalkeeper for his heroics that season.

7 players who left Chelsea and shone for other clubs

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Chelsea fans have over the years had to contend with watching some of their former players thrive for other clubs.

These players were deemed surplus to requirements and were shipped out to various clubs. Perhaps the most disheartening one is the one of Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah.

The duo has lit up the Premier League with exquisite performances over the years despite Chelsea letting go of them.