Some of Africa’s greatest footballers never won AFCON, despite their legendary careers. Some came close but lost in finals, while others played for teams that weren’t strong enough to challenge for the title.
Here’s a list of the best African players who never lifted the AFCON trophy.
1. George Weah (Liberia 🇱🇷)
Why He’s a Legend
- Only African player to win the Ballon d’Or (1995).
- Starred for AC Milan, PSG, and Chelsea.
- One of Africa’s greatest-ever forwards.
AFCON Record
- Liberia only qualified for AFCON twice (1996, 2002).
- Never reached the knockout stage.
Weah was a global icon, but Liberia’s weak squad meant he never had a chance to win AFCON.
2. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast 🇨🇮)
Why He’s a Legend
- Led Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League title (2012).
- Two-time African Footballer of the Year (2006, 2009).
AFCON Record
- 2006 Final: Lost to Egypt on penalties.
- 2012 Final: Lost to Zambia on penalties (Drogba missed a key penalty).
- Retired in 2014—Ivory Coast won in 2015 without him.
Drogba came agonizingly close twice, but never won AFCON.
3. Asamoah Gyan (Ghana 🇬🇭)
Why He’s a Legend
- Ghana’s all-time top scorer (51 goals).
- Played in three World Cups, scoring six goals (most by an African).
AFCON Record
- 2010 Final: Lost to Egypt (1-0).
- 2015 Final: Lost to Ivory Coast on penalties.
- Played in seven AFCON tournaments but never won.
Gyan had two golden opportunities to win AFCON but fell short.
4. Michael Essien (Ghana 🇬🇭)
Why He’s a Legend
- Starred for Chelsea, Real Madrid, and AC Milan.
- One of Africa’s best defensive midfielders ever.
AFCON Record
- 2010 Final: Ghana lost to Egypt (1-0).
- Missed the 2012 & 2015 tournaments due to injury.
Essien was unlucky with injuries and timing, missing Ghana’s best opportunity to win.
5. Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria 🇳🇬)
Why He’s a Legend
- Won the Champions League with Ajax (1995).
- Won Olympic gold with Nigeria in 1996.
- Played for Arsenal, Inter Milan, and Portsmouth.
AFCON Record
- 2000 Final: Lost to Cameroon on penalties.
- Played in six AFCON tournaments but never won.
Despite Nigeria’s strong squad, Kanu never lifted AFCON.
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6. Mohamed Salah (Egypt 🇪🇬) – Still Active
Why He’s a Legend
- Two-time African Footballer of the Year.
- Won the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool.
AFCON Record
- 2017 Final: Lost to Cameroon (2-1).
- 2021 Final: Lost to Senegal on penalties.
Salah has lost two AFCON finals but still has time to win.
7. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon 🇬🇦)
Why He’s a Legend
- Won the 2015 African Footballer of the Year award.
- Played for Dortmund, Arsenal, and Barcelona.
AFCON Record
- Best finish: Quarterfinals (2012).
- Gabon has never been a strong AFCON team.
Aubameyang was too good for his national team, which never had a realistic chance of winning.
8. Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo 🇹🇬)
Why He’s a Legend
- Played for Arsenal, Manchester City, and Real Madrid.
- Won African Footballer of the Year (2008).
AFCON Record
- Best finish: Quarterfinals (2013).
- Togo never had a strong enough squad to compete.
Adebayor was one of Africa’s best strikers, but his country couldn’t challenge for AFCON.
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9. Seydou Keita (Mali 🇲🇱)
Why He’s a Legend
- Won two Champions League titles with Barcelona.
- One of Africa’s best midfielders.
AFCON Record
- Never reached an AFCON final.
- Best finishes: Third place (2012, 2013).
Keita was an elite player, but Mali was never a real contender.
10. Hakim Ziyech (Morocco 🇲🇦) – Still Active
Why He’s a Legend
- Won the Champions League with Chelsea (2021).
- A key playmaker for Ajax and Morocco.
AFCON Record
- Morocco hasn’t won AFCON in his era.
- Best finish: Quarterfinals.
Ziyech is still active, but Morocco hasn’t been dominant in AFCON.
Conclusion
AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP) (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP via Getty Images)
Winning AFCON is hard, and some of Africa’s biggest legends never lifted the trophy.
- Drogba, Gyan, and Essien came close but never won.
- Weah, Aubameyang, and Adebayor never had a strong enough team.
- Salah and Ziyech still have a chance.
Which of these legends deserved an AFCON title the most? 🏆⚽
