AFCON is up and running as Africa's greatest players take to the spotlight once more in Morocco.
Huge names like Mohamed Salah are still yet to win their first AFCON title, while Ivory Coast seek to go back to back and Nigeria chase their first title since 2013.
African football has grown exponentially in the 21st century, but who is the best player to emerge from the continent since the turn of the millennium?
20 Kalidou Koulibaly
(Senegal)
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Kalidou Koulibaly stands among the finest African defenders of the modern era. At Napoli and later Chelsea, his sheer physicality combined with excellent reading of the game made him near impossible to beat.
As a leader for Senegal, he played a key role in their AFCON triumph, and now leads the Lions of Teranga as their captain.
Koulibaly has featured in the CAF Team of the Year four times and in the Serie A Team of the Season on four occasions.
19 Ahmed Hassan
(Egypt)
Ahmed Hassan and Stevem Gerrard
Ahmed Hassan's longevity and leadership makes him one of Egypt's greatest ever players.
As the Pharaohs' most capped player, he was a central figure in their unprecedented AFCON dominance in the 2000s, racking up 184 games for his country.
His work rate, discipline and consistency made him invaluable in midfield, anchoring a side who won AFCON four times in the space of 12 years.
18 Mohamed Aboutrika
(Egypt)
Aboutrika
Mohamed Aboutrika was the heartbeat of Egypt’s dominant national team in the 2000s.
A technically gifted playmaker, when you think of Africa's growth as a football powerhouse you think of players like Aboutrika.
Staying loyal to home rather than moving to a major European club, he played over 500 combined games for Al Ahly and Egypt, winning the Egyptian Premier League seven times and AFCON twice.
17 El Hadji Diouf
(Senegal)
Former Leeds striker El Hadji Diouf
El Hadji Diouf’s influence in the 21st century is inseparable from Senegal’s stunning 2002 World Cup campaign.
His confidence and flair helped announce Senegal as a global football force.
Though his club career never fully matched his talent, his peak impact remains historically significant, winning trophies with iconic clubs such as Liverpool and Rangers.
16 Younès Belhanda
(Morocco)
Younes Belhanda
Younès Belhanda was a key creative force in North African football during the early 2010s. His technical ability and vision made him influential at club level and for Morocco, paving the way for playmakers like Brahim Diaz and Azzedine Ounahi to emerge.
Belhanda spent over a decade playing for top clubs throughout Europe, winning trophies in France, Ukraine and Turkey, all while racking up 50 caps for his country.
15 Seydou Keita
(Mali)
Seydou Keita
Seydou Keita was the unsung backbone of one of the greatest club teams ever assembled.
At Barcelona, his intelligence and versatility allowed creative stars to flourish as the Catalans won La Liga three times during his four-year spell with the club.
Though rarely in the spotlight, his role in multiple Champions League triumphs highlights the growing tactical sophistication of African players in modern football.
14 Emmanuel Adebayor
(Togo)
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Emmanuel Adebayor’s peak years placed him among Europe’s most feared strikers. His combination of size, finishing and slick technique made him a hit at huge clubs like Arsenal and Manchester City.
As Togo’s star player, he carried immense responsibility, leading them to their first World Cup appearance.
In nearly two decades leading the line for his country, he earned 87 caps, scoring 32 goals.
13 Asamoah Gyan
(Ghana)
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Asamoah Gyan was the face of Ghana’s golden generation. He delivered decisive goals in multiple World Cups and became one of Africa’s highest international scorers.
Gyan’s strength, pace and finishing ability made him a constant threat, and he helped establish Ghana as a global football presence in the 21st century.
Perhaps due to his famous penalty miss against Uruguay, he is often underrated, having bagged a remarkable 51 international goals.
Notable players with 50+ international goals Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) 143
Lionel Messi (Argentina) 115
Miroslav Klose (Germany) 71
Wayne Rooney (England) 53
Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) 51
12 Vincent Enyeama
(Nigeria)
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Vincent Enyeama is arguably the greatest African goalkeeper of the 21st century. His performances for Nigeria at AFCON and the World Cup will be remembered forever.
At club level, especially with Lille, he earned recognition as one of Europe’s most reliable goalkeepers.
Enyeama was also named in the AFCON team of the tournament both for Nigeria's 2013 triumph and again in 2004.
11 Achraf Hakimi
(Morocco)
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Achraf Hakimi symbolizes the evolution of African players in modern tactical systems.
As an attacking fullback, he combines speed, intelligence and end product at an elite level and was recently named the 2025 African footballer of the year.
A Champions League winner amid a decorated club career with PSG, Inter and Real Madrid, he is closing in on 100 Morocco caps despite still being very much in his prime.