Jay Jay Okocha, Vincent Enyeama Missing As Abedi Pele, Drogba Named in All-Time African Football XI

Jay Jay Okocha, Vincent Enyeama Missing As Abedi Pele, Drogba Named in All-Time African Football XI

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:51 PM
  • Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and nine others have been named in all-time African football XI as compiled by GiveMeSport
  • The UK-based outlet ignored Super Eagles legends including Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and Rashidi Yekini
  • Surprising on the list are the Liverpool duo of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as well as legendary George Weah

There was no Nigerian superstar on the list of all-time African football XI as released by UK outlet GiveMeSport, having ignored Vincent Enyeama to name Egypt’s Essam El-Hadary in goal.

Following his exploits in the African Cup of Nations where he went on to win the coveted title in 2013, many would have suggested Enyeama between the sticks.

Despite producing other greats including Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and even late Rashidi Yekini, the outlet totally ignored Super Eagles legends in the starting line-up.

Jay Jay Okocha, Vincent Enyeama Missing As Abedi Pele, Drogba Named in All-Time African Football XI
Didier Drogba named among Africa's all time XI. Photo: Lefty Shivambu
Source: Getty Images

However, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane made the cut alongside Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, according to SI.com.

With Salah currently ripping up the Premier League and Champions League, it has opened the debate for him to be the best African player of all time.

The only African player to win the coveted Ballon d’Or award, George Weah, also made the cut including Ghanaian legend Samuel Kuffour. Another notable name that missed out is Cameroonian legend, Roger Milla.

Full list

Goalkeeper: Essam El-Hadary

Centre-backs: Kolo Toure, Wael Gomaa & Samuel Kuffour

Midfielders: Mohamed Salah, YaYa Toure, Abedi Pele & Sadio Mane

Forwards: George Weah, Samuel Eto'o & Didier Drogba

Yakubu Aiyegbeni ranks Drogba above Salah

Meanwhile, Super Eagles legend Yakubu Ayegbeni has claimed that Didier Drogba is still far above Mohamed Salah on the list of best African stars to have played in the Premier League.

Premier League in England is one of the most attractive places for most African players as there are many who have succeeded there while some have also failed.

So far this season, Mohamed Salah is shining for Liverpool scoring incredible goals as the Anfield landlords remain unbeaten this season in the Premier League.

Salah reveals why he is in blistering form this season

Legit.ng earlier reported that Mohamed Salah is undoubtedly one of the most in-form forwards in the world at the moment having scored 12 goals and four assists in 11 appearances across competitions so far this season.

His impressive performances have now earned him a place among stars who will contend for this year's Ballon d'Or award next month.

While preparing for Liverpool's Premier League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford, the 29-year-old reveals he tells himself he is the best player whether anyone agrees with him or not, adding that he also has the ambition to become the best in the world.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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