Top 5 African Players in Premier League History, From Mohamed Salah to Yaya Toure

• African footballers have graced the Premier League in the last three decades
• Peter Ndlovu paved the way for legends like Mohamed Salah and Yaya Toure
• Salah is considered the best African player to play in the Premier League

The African continent has been represented well in the Premier League since its inception in 1992.

Many of these African players have contributed to Premier League success, and some have scooped individual accolades along the way.

Zimbabwe legend, Peter Ndlovu, opened the door for many African footballers when he became the first African to grace the Premier League in the early 1990s. Bruce Grobbelaar, George Ndah, and Efan Okoku are other African players who played in the first Premier League season (1992/93).

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In the following years, many African footballers flocked to England. Some struggled to make a mark, while others became cult heroes for their clubs.

By 2000, 24 African players were plying their trade in the Premier League. By 2010, it was 60, and the number continues to grow every year. So, who is the greatest African to play in the Premier League? Here are the top 5.

Top 5 Africans in Premier League history

5. Riyad Mahrez - Leicester City, Manchester City

The Algerian winger was part of the Leicester City squad that shocked the world to win the 2016 Premier League title. He played a major role alongside Jamie Vardy. That season, Mahrez registered 17 goals and 10 assists, helping the Foxes upset the odds. That achievement is enough to put Mahrez in the top five.

After his displays, he moved to Manchester City and won four more league titles, including a treble in his last season. He made 236 appearances and registered 78 goals and 59 assists.

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4. Sadio Mane - Liverpool, Southampton

The Senegal international made his name at Southampton before moving to Liverpool. He formed a devastating partnership with Mohamed Salah, which electrified world football. Mane helped the Merseyside club win the league for the first time in 30 years.

He also won the 2019 Champions League crown with Jurgen Klopp's side. Mane won a total of six major honours at the club he joined in 2016. He was the joint top scorer in the Premier in the 2018/19 season. He left the club in 2022 with 120 goals for the Reds in 269 appearances. The two-time African Footballer of the Year scored 111 Premier League goals. Only Salah has scored more.

3. Yaya Toure - Manchester City

Toure is regarded as the best African midfielder ever. He won the treble with Barcelona in 2009 before joining Manchester City. He was part of the Man City team that won the 2012 Premier League title. He won another one in 2014, producing phenomenal numbers that season.

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He scored just over 60 goals in the English top-flight. He is one of the most dominant midfielders in the Premier League since 1992. He won four straight African Footballer of the Year awards at Man City.

2. Didier Drogba - Chelsea

Many Premier League fans have their reservations about the Ivory Coast legend. However, they cannot deny his impact at Chelsea. He didn't score a huge number of goals, but most of his goals were clutch. Whether in the FA Cup or the Champions League, Drogba had a knack for scoring when it mattered the most.

His accolades at Chelsea include four league titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, and the famous 2012 Champions League title. The Ivorian also won two Golden Boots in England. Drogba, Mane, and Salah are the only Africans with at least 100 Premier League goals.

1. Mohamed Salah - Liverpool

The Egyptian is, without a doubt, the best African footballer to play in the Premier League. No African has scored more goals in the English league than Salah (156). It will take a while for that mark to be broken, especially considering he is still playing in England.

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He bagged 32 Premier League goals in his first season at Liverpool. Salah has reached heights no African footballer has reached in the English top flight.

Salah clashes with Klopp

Sports Brief earlier reported on Salah clashing with Klopp during Liverpool's frustrating 2-2 draw against West Ham.

The two were spotted having a bitter exchange, prompting speculation from fans on social media. Klopp will leave Liverpool when the current season ends.