The Best African Footballer of the Past 50 Years

By: Bob | October 24th, 2006

Not to be outdone by the not-so-shortlists compiled for the FIFA Player of the Year Award and the European Player of the Year, the Confederation of African Football is operating a poll to determine the best African football player from the past 50 years. The longest shortlist of the bunch includes a whopping 200 names and unless you are an African football historian chances are you probably won’t be too familiar with a number of the players, especially the ones who played decades ago.

Even with the overwhelming number of choices there are a few names that stand out to me like Abedi Pele, Roger Milla, Jay-Jay Okocha, and my favorite current player from Africa, Samuel Eto’o.

My vote, however, has to go to George Weah. In his prime, the Liberian was simply a joy to watch. He had a combination of power and grace that not only made him the best African footballer of his day, but one of the best footballers, period.

Which player would receive your vote as the best African footballer from the past 50 years?

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Category: Africa, World Football

Tags: Abedi Pele, Africa, Best African Player, George Weah, Jay-Jay Okoch, Roger Milla, World Football

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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 26 comments.
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• BlueBlood58 |  October 24th, 2006 at 10:10 am

  
  
  

  Got to go with George Weah. He didn’t play that many games for Chelsea, but he became a cult figure, especially scoring the winner against Tottenham on his debut.

  Posted from United States

  

• insearchoffootball |  October 24th, 2006 at 11:40 am

  
  
  

  how can et’o be in that list when he still plays ..

  Posted from Australia

  

• Isaiah |  October 25th, 2006 at 2:59 am

  
  
  

  I’m not sure there’s much doubt about George Weah. So far it’s unanimous and I’m not one to to be a naysayer. Unbelievable player, though probably not so good a politician.

  He’s definitely in my top 50 players of all time just for the sheer joy of watching him play and the fact that he proved a boatload of racist jerkoffs wrong in the process.

  Posted from United States

  

• Isaiah |  October 25th, 2006 at 3:07 am

  
  
  

  Special mentions though:

  Hossam Hassan (Egypt)
  Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
  Kalala Mukendi (Zaire) (known to me only because I once had a childhood stint in what was then Zaire and is now the Democratic Republic of Congo)
  Segun Odegbami (Nigeria)

  Posted from United States

  

• toddzilla |  October 25th, 2006 at 8:54 am

  
  
  

  I think it’s pretty clearly Thompson Nagbe, right?

  Posted from United States

  

• combat chuck |  October 25th, 2006 at 10:34 am

  
  
  

  I would nominate Eusebio. Sure, the guy played for Portugal, but he was born in Mozambique, so he was from Africa. Top goalscorer at England ‘66, more than a dozen Portuguese League titles, European Cup winner, 300+ goals, etc. etc…

  Posted from United States

  

• Trent |  October 27th, 2006 at 4:07 pm

  
  
  

  Eto’o is brilliant; and seems a good guy too. I mean, to’o. Since he’s still youngish, I’d go with Milla.

  Posted from United States

  

• Kiko |  October 28th, 2006 at 9:28 am

  
  
  

  My choice would be Raba Madjer. Weah comes a close second though.

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Bense |  October 29th, 2006 at 1:21 am

  
  
  

  I’d say Milla. Priceless 1990 World Cup.

  Posted from United States

  

• Miha |  October 30th, 2006 at 2:09 am

  
  
  

  My vote definitely goes to George Weah.

  Posted from Slovenia

  

• Drew |  October 30th, 2006 at 12:20 pm

  
  
  

  Is Kanu really not worth even a mention? Probably not the best, but still my all time favorite out of Africa. But he’s gotta be at least worth mentioning once.

  Posted from United States

  

• SyphaX |  November 23rd, 2006 at 7:18 pm

  
  
  

  I have to mention Timoumi from the 80s. he played for morocco and he mastered the midfield in WC86 for them. Morocco finished first in the group topping England, Poland and Portugal which morocco beat 3-1. also a shout out to Zaki morocco’s keeper in that WC who was like a wall

  Posted from United States

  

• S. Benedict Dossen |  December 14th, 2006 at 7:31 am

  
  
  

  It’s George Weah like it has been during his time.

  Posted from Israel

  

• jeanpaul |  January 1st, 2007 at 1:58 pm

  
  
  

  I will certainly agree with George Weah…..
  Guys I also urge you not to forget Milla Roger–a prolific scorer for St. Etienne and St germain back then..

  Posted from United States

  

• Maurice |  January 15th, 2007 at 12:00 pm

  
  
  

  Peter Ndlovu of zimbabwe had flair and was a dribbling wizzard. Coventry city fans of the UK will testify to this.

  From Maurice of Nottingham, UK

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Eddie |  January 18th, 2007 at 2:59 pm

  
  
  

  Peter Ndlovu is the first african player to play in the premiership straight from africa. He did not come through any other country.but George Weah was tops

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Teju |  January 19th, 2007 at 10:17 am

  
  
  

  Pele.

  Followed by Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Henry.

  Posted from Belgium

  

• koffa t gboilee |  June 21st, 2007 at 5:36 am

  
  
  

  I think the best out of africa is no other then the master dribbling wizzard,the most prolific scorer the game had ever seen george weah.

  Posted from United States

  

• fredrick anguh |  July 17th, 2007 at 3:58 am

  
  
  

  i think more of eto’o because he has recent and modern skills than George w .,but then George had once been the best….not now…i cast for eto’o.Posted from Cameroon

  Posted from United States

  

• kwame aduako |  November 12th, 2007 at 5:48 am

  
  
  

  George Weah for his record of African best, European best and World Best

  Posted from United States

  

• Bill guntee |  December 7th, 2007 at 10:04 am

  
  
  

  i am very happy to see people comment about weah.he is my star but one think i will like him to know that we footballers tell love him for his greatness.

  Posted from United States

  

• Bill guntee |  December 7th, 2007 at 10:06 am

  
  
  

  weah i went to player for liberia national team plzz call on me i am in gambia

  Posted from United States

  

• wilson Abang |  January 9th, 2008 at 6:52 am

  
  
  

  i think Abedi pele deserves to be mentioned amongst the african greats. but i still feel george weah is the best

  Posted from Nigeria

  

• demilade |  January 13th, 2008 at 6:52 am

  
  
  

  In my own view,i think Didier Drogba is the best compared to the likes of Kanoute,Eto’o and Adebayor coz he is aforce to reckon with in every game and for every team.

  Posted from United States

  

• sunday |  January 13th, 2008 at 6:26 pm

  
  
  

  all these players mentioned are goog players,but the best for now is DIDIER DROGBA

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

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