Ranking 10 of the Best Most Capped Male African Footballers of All Time

• Ahmed Hassan has the most international caps for an African man with 184 appearances for Egypt
• A total of 48 African players have passed the 100 international caps mark for their countries
• Cristiano Ronaldo is the man with the most international caps with 205 for Portugal

Pulling on one's national jersey is a sense of enormous pride

Depending on the competition cycle, the FIFA international windows can average between 8 and 12 matches per year, making the accumulation of international caps a long process.

Simply being consistent is noteworthy enough but which players have made every appearance count?

Not a list based solely on the number of caps, Sports Brief ranks the players who made the biggest impact for the longest time.

The top 10 African players with 115 caps or more

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Football

10. Noureddine Naybet

The Moroccan hardman formed the backbone of a Deportivo La Coruna side that was a thorn in the side of Europe's elite for several seasons.

With 115 caps for Morocco, he is 14th on the all-time African international caps list but his contribution to La Coruna winning La Liga and Morrocco making the 2004 AFCON final was invaluable.

9. Geremi Njitap

Cameroon have been one of Africa's flagbearers on the international stage. Geremi is tied with another entry on this list as the 11th most-capped African, with 118 for the Indomitable Lions.

The midfield terrier helped Cameroon win back-to-back AFCONs in 2000 and 2002 and was instrumental for Chelsea during Jose Mourinho's first spell with the club.

8. Didier Zokora

The most capped Ivorian with 123 appearances, Zokora's understated industry and aggression earned him fans in Belgium, England, Spain and Turkey

Zokora has a Europa League winners medal to his name and just missed out on an AFCON winners medal after a penalty shootout defeat to Zambia.

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7. Kennedy Mweene

The hero of that 2012 AFCON final in Libreville, Kennedy Mweene will live in Chipolopolo's hearts forever.

The goalkeeper made over 120 appearances for Zambia, even scoring two goals to go with 11 club goals for Free State Stars.

6. Andre Ayew

One of two active players on this list, the temperamental Ghanaian has had a mixed club but has always been dependable for his country.

Sure to add to his 116, Ayew was voted BBC African Footballer of the Year and Ghanaian Player of the Year in 2011.

5. Kolo Toure

A man who needs little introduction, Toure was one half of an iconic pair of brothers for Ivory Coast, Arsenal and Manchester City.

He tasted AFCON glory in 2015 to go with his domestic titles with The Gunners, The Citizens and Celtic in the SPL.

4. Egypt's fabulous five

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After their all-time caps leader, Egypt have five more players in Africa's top 10: Hossam Hassan (170), Essam Al Hadary(159), Ahmed Fathy(135), Ibrahim Hassan(132) and Hany Ramzy(124), who is still active.

While each played in a World Cup at some stage in their careers, it would only have been once. A lack of consistent FIFA World Cup qualification is disappointing, made up for with three consecutive AFCON titles.

3. Rigobert Song

The dreadlocked defender spent 17 years in national colours and still orchestrates national matters from the touchline.

The most capped Cameroonian of all-time, with 137 appearances, Song will be hoping to add to his two AFCON medals.

2. Ahmed Hassan

The Egyptian may hold the record for the most international caps for an African at 184, but only played 376 games for clubs spread across Egypt, Turkey and Belgium.

He debuted for Egypt in December 1995 and played his last match in 2012, aged 37. He never played in a FIFA World Cup but did win the AFCON a record four times

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1. Samuel Eto’o

Joint 11th on the list of highest international caps with compatriot Geremi, the current Cameroonian FA boss is possibly the greatest African player of his generation.

Debuting at 16 for Cameroon, his 118 caps came across 17 years, winning the AFCON twice. At club level, he won La Liga, Serie A and the Champions League back to back.

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Janine van Wyk the most capped African

Sports Brief recently reported on Janine van Wyk breaking the record for the most international caps.

Van Wyk made her 185th appearance for Banyana Banyana, surpassing Ahmed Hassan.

The most capped female internationally is the United States' Kristine Lilly with 354.