Introduction
The African Player of the Year award, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is the most prestigious individual honor in African football. Since its inception, the award has recognized the continent’s best players, celebrating their exceptional performances in club and international football.
Over the decades, several African legends have dominated the award, showcasing consistent excellence at the highest levels of the game. In this article, we take a deep dive into the players who have won the most African Best Player awards, their achievements, and their lasting impact on football.
1. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) – 4 Wins (2003, 2004, 2005, 2010)
Key Achievements:
- Three-time UEFA Champions League winner (Barcelona & Inter Milan).
- Led Cameroon to two AFCON titles (2000, 2002).
- All-time leading scorer in AFCON history.
- Won multiple league titles in Spain and Italy.
Eto’o’s versatility, goal-scoring ability, and leadership made him one of Africa’s greatest-ever footballers.
2. Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast) – 4 Wins (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
Key Achievements:
- Helped Manchester City win multiple Premier League titles.
- Led Ivory Coast to AFCON glory in 2015.
- Known for his powerful midfield presence and goal-scoring ability.
Touré was instrumental in Manchester City’s rise to dominance, making him one of Africa’s most influential midfielders.
3. Abedi Pelé (Ghana) – 3 Wins (1991, 1992, 1993)
Key Achievements:
- Won the 1993 UEFA Champions League with Marseille.
- Led Ghana to AFCON triumph in 1982.
- One of Africa’s finest playmakers of all time.
Abedi Pelé’s technical brilliance and vision set the standard for future African midfielders.
4. George Weah (Liberia) – 3 Wins (1989, 1994, 1995)
Key Achievements:
- Won the 1995 Ballon d’Or, the only African to do so.
- Played for AC Milan, PSG, and Chelsea.
- Known for his speed, dribbling, and finishing ability.
Weah remains the only African player to win the Ballon d’Or, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest.
5. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) – 2 Wins (2006, 2009)
Key Achievements:
- Champions League winner with Chelsea (2012).
- Helped Ivory Coast reach multiple AFCON finals.
- A Premier League legend with Chelsea.
Drogba’s clutch performances in big matches made him one of Africa’s most celebrated footballers.
6. Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – 2 Wins (2017, 2018)
Key Achievements:
- Helped Liverpool win the Champions League (2019) and Premier League (2020).
- Broke multiple Premier League scoring records.
- Led Egypt to AFCON finals (2017, 2021).
Salah continues to shine in European football, proving himself as one of Africa’s finest attacking talents.
7. Sadio Mané (Senegal) – 2 Wins (2019, 2022)
Key Achievements:
- Champions League winner (2019) with Liverpool.
- Helped Senegal win their first-ever AFCON title in 2021.
- A key figure in Liverpool’s domestic and international success.
Mané’s work rate, goal-scoring ability, and leadership have cemented his status as one of Africa’s top players.
Conclusion
The CAF African Player of the Year award has highlighted Africa’s footballing excellence for decades. Players like Eto’o, Touré, and Weah have dominated their eras, leaving behind legacies that continue to inspire future generations.
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With new talents like Victor Osimhen, Achraf Hakimi, and Mohamed Salah emerging, African football’s future remains bright. The next generation of stars will aim to etch their names into history as the greatest African footballers of all time.
