Very few African players have been lucky enough to win the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the European Champions League.
Only ten of them have achieved this feat with their country and their club in Europe. They include Algerian legend Rabah Madjer, Ghanaian Black Stars legend Abedi Pelé, Nigerians George Finidi and John Obi Mikel, Cameroonian Samuel Eto’o, Ivorians Yaya Touré and Salomon Kalou, and Senegalese Edouard Mendy and Sadio Mané.
Here is the complete list of Africans who have won the African Cup of Nations and the Champions League
1- Rabah Madjer: C1 1987 with Porto and the CAN 1990
Rabah Madjer is a former Algerian professional footballer, born on 15 December 1958 in Algiers. He is best known for scoring the decisive goal in the 1987 UEFA European Champion Clubs’ Cup final, playing for FC Porto. Madjer also represented the Algerian national team during his playing career, taking part in the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cups. After his retirement as a player, Rabah Madjer also turned to a coaching career.
2- Abedi Pelé : AFCON 1982 and C1 1993 with OM
Abedi Pelé, whose real name is Abedi Ayew, is a former Ghanaian footballer, born on 5 November 1964 in Kibi, Ghana. He is considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time. Abedi Pele played as an attacking midfielder.
He enjoyed a successful international career representing the Ghana national team. He played a key role in the Ghanaian team that won the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in 1982. He also captained the team at the 1992 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, where Ghana reached the final but were beaten by Côte d’Ivoire.
At club level, Abedi Pelé has played for several teams, including Asante Kotoko in Ghana, OM (Olympique de Marseille) in France, and Swiss club FC Zurich. He won the UEFA Champions League with OM in 1993.
Abedi Pelé is also the father of footballers André Ayew and Jordan Ayew, who have also enjoyed success in professional football.
3- George Finidi: AFCON 1994 and C1 in 1995 with Ajax Amsterdam
George Finidi George is a former Nigerian footballer born on 15 April 1971 in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He is best known for his role as an attacking midfielder and right winger.
George Finidi enjoyed a successful international career with the Nigerian national team. He was a member of the team that won the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in 1994. He was also a key member of the Nigerian team that took part in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, reaching the Round of 16.
At club level, George Finidi played for Enyimba International FC in Nigeria before moving to Europe. He went on to play for legendary Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 1995. He went on to play for clubs such as Real Betis in Spain and Ipswich Town in England.
After his playing career, George Finidi turned to coaching and has been involved in the development of football in Nigeria.
4- Geremi Njitap : AFCON 2000 & 2002 and C1 in 2000 & 2002 with Real Madrid
Geremi Sorele Njitap Fotso, more commonly known as Geremi, is a former Cameroonian footballer. Born on 20 December 1978 in Bafoussam, Cameroon, he played as a midfielder and right-back during his career.
Geremi enjoyed an international career with the Cameroon national team, the “Indomitable Lions”. He took part in several Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) and FIFA World Cups with his country, winning the CAN in 2000 and 2002. He was also a member of the team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1998 World Cup in France.
At club level, Geremi has played for several teams around the world, including Real Madrid in Spain, Chelsea FC in England, and Newcastle United. He won several trophies, including the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid and two English league titles with Chelsea.
After his retirement as a player, Geremi also became involved in administrative and management roles in football, notably as president of the Cameroon Footballers’ Association.
5 – Samuel Eto’o: AFCON 2000 & 2002, C1 in 2006, 2009 with Barça and 2010 with Inter Milan
Samuel Eto’o, a Cameroon legend, is one of the few players to have won both the African Cup of Nations and the Champions League. His triumph with Barcelona in the Champions League in 2006, followed by his CAN successes with the Indomitable Lions, have made him an icon of African football.
6- Yaya Touré : AFCON 2015 and C1 2009 with FC Barcelona
Yaya Touré, whose full name is Gnégnéri Yaya Touré, is a former Ivorian footballer born on 13 May 1983 in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire. He is considered one of the best defensive midfielders of his generation.
Yaya Touré had a remarkable international career with the Côte d’Ivoire national team, the “Elephants”. He has represented his country at several African Nations Cups (CAN) and FIFA World Cups. He won the CAN in 2015, scoring the decisive penalty in the final shoot-out.
At club level, Yaya Touré has played for several teams, including FC Barcelona in Spain, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2009. He then moved to Manchester City in the English Premier League, where he was a key player during the club’s successful period, winning several English league titles.
Yaya Touré is also known for his physical strength, technique and ability to score goals from midfield. Following his retirement as a player, he has expressed an interest in a career in football off the pitch, whether in coaching or other administrative roles.
7- John Obi Mikel : C1 2012 with Chelsea and AFCON 2013
John Obi Mikel, whose full name is John Michael Nchekwube Obinna, is a former Nigerian footballer born on 22 April 1987 in Jos, Nigeria. He played as a defensive midfielder.
Mikel enjoyed a distinguished international career with the Nigerian national team, the “Super Eagles”. He represented his country at several Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) and FIFA World Cups, winning the CAN in 2013.
At club level, Mikel has been associated with English club Chelsea for most of his career, joining the club in 2006. During his time at Chelsea, he won a number of titles, including the UEFA Champions League in 2012 and the English Premier League. He has also played for clubs such as Tianjin TEDA in China and Middlesbrough in England.
Mikel is known for his technical skills, vision and ability to win the ball back in midfield. Following his retirement as a player, he has also expressed an interest in coaching and other roles in football.
8- Salomon Kalou : C1 2012 with Chelsea and AFCON 2015
Salomon Kalou is a former Ivorian footballer, born on 5 August 1985 in Oumé, Côte d’Ivoire. He mainly played as a striker or attacking midfielder during his career.
Kalou enjoyed an international career with the Côte d’Ivoire national team, the “Elephants”. He represented his country at several African Nations Cups (CAN) and FIFA World Cups. He was a member of the Ivorian team that reached the CAN final in 2012.
At club level, Salomon Kalou is best known for his time with Chelsea FC in the English Premier League. He played for Chelsea from 2006 to 2012, winning several trophies, including the UEFA Champions League in 2012 and the Premier League. He has also played for other clubs, including Lille in France and Hertha BSC in Germany.
Salomon Kalou is renowned for his versatility on the pitch, his speed and his ability to score goals. After his retirement as a player, he expressed his commitment to the development of football in Côte d’Ivoire and his involvement in social initiatives.
9- Edouard Mendy: C1 2021 with Chelsea and the African Cup of Nations in 2021
Édouard Mendy is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. Born on 1 March 1992 in Montivilliers, France, Mendy represents the Senegal national team at international level.
Mendy began his professional career in France, playing for clubs such as Stade de Reims and Stade Rennais before joining Chelsea FC in England in September 2020. His move to Chelsea was marked by solid performances, helping the club win the UEFA Champions League in 2021.
Beyond his club exploits, Édouard Mendy has also been a key part of the Senegal national team, competing in international competitions such as the African Cup of Nations (CAN) and the FIFA World Cup.
Mendy is appreciated for his goalkeeping skills, his imposing presence in the box and his ability to make crucial saves. His career illustrates his rapid ascent in the world of professional football.
10-Sadio Mané: C1 in 2019 with Liverpool and the African Cup of Nations in 2021
Sadio Mané is a Senegalese footballer born on 10 April 1992 in Sédhiou, Senegal. He mainly plays as a striker or winger. Sadio Mané is widely recognised as one of the best African and world players of his generation.
Mané began his professional career playing for Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in 2012. His outstanding performances soon led to him being scouted by bigger clubs, and in 2014 he joined Southampton in the English Premier League. His success with Southampton attracted the attention of Liverpool, where he signed in 2016.
With Liverpool, Sadio Mané has won several major titles, including the UEFA Champions League in 2019 and the English Premier League in 2020. He was also a finalist for the Ballon d’Or in 2019.
At international level, Mané has represented Senegal’s national team, the “Lions of Teranga”. He played a key role in Senegal’s run to the African Cup of Nations (CAN) and the FIFA World Cup.
Sadio Mané is praised for his speed, technique, goal-scoring ability and commitment to charity. He is considered one of the best African players of his generation.
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