Since its inception in 1992, the FIFA African Footballer of the Year award has celebrated the exceptional skills, dedication, and influence of African footballers in the global arena. These legends have not only captivated fans with their on-field prowess but have also served as inspirations to millions across Africa and beyond. Interface Africa Magazine explores the illustrious history of notable African footballers who have clinched this prestigious accolade, highlighting their remarkable contributions to the sport, as well as their countries of origin.
1. Abedi Pele (Ghana) – 1992
Abedi Pele was the first recipient of the FIFA African Footballer of the Year award, showcasing his exceptional talent as a midfielder. His contributions to both club and country set the standard for the awards to follow.
2. Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria) – 1993
Rashidi Yekini etched his name in history as Nigeria’s first winner of the award in 1993, highlighting his goal-scoring prowess and dedication to the game.
3. Emmanuel Amunike (Nigeria) – 1994
Winning the award in 1994, Emmanuel Amunike was celebrated for his impactful performances for Nigeria and his skills at club level.
4. George Weah (Liberia) – 1995
George Weah made history in 1995 by becoming the first African player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award, along with the African Footballer of the Year accolade. He dazzled on the pitch with extraordinary speed, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability while playing for clubs like AS Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, and AC Milan. After his football career, he transitioned into politics, becoming Liberia’s 25th president in 2018.
5. Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria) – 1996, 1999, 2010
Nwankwo Kanu was awarded the African Footballer of the Year in 1996 and again in 1999. Renowned for his distinctive playing style, Kanu’s success at clubs like Ajax, Inter Milan, and Arsenal further solidified his legacy. He received a third award in 2010, recognizing his enduring influence on the game.
6. Victor Ikpeba (Nigeria) – 1997
Victor Ikpeba won the award in 1997, earning accolades for his performances in the domestic leagues and for the Nigerian national team.
7. Mustapha Hadji (Morocco) – 1998
Mustapha Hadji made his mark by winning the award in 1998, showcasing his skills as an influential midfielder for Morocco.
8. Patrick Mboma (Cameroon) – 2000
Patrick Mboma was awarded the African Footballer of the Year in 2000, recognized for his game-changing capabilities as a forward.
9. El Hadji Diouf (Senegal) – 2001, 2002
El Hadji Diouf made history by securing the award in both 2001 and 2002, representing Senegal with flair and commitment during his illustrious career.
10. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) – 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010
Samuel Eto’o stands as a titan in African football, winning the FIFA African Footballer of the Year award four times — in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010. The prolific striker made a name for himself at Barcelona and Inter Milan, earning numerous domestic and European titles.
11. Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire) – 2006, 2009
Didier Drogba clinched the title in 2006 and 2009, primarily during his illustrious career at Chelsea, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer and an iconic figure in African football.
12. Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire) – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Yaya Touré‘s remarkable consistency earned him the award in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. He played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s Premier League successes, solidifying his status as one of Africa’s greatest midfielders.
13. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) – 2015
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was awarded the title in 2015 after his standout performances in Germany and later the Premier League.
14. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – 2016
Riyad Mahrez won the award in 2016 after a phenomenal season leading Leicester City to their historic Premier League title.
15. Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – 2017, 2018
Mohamed Salah emerged as a global superstar, winning the African Footballer of the Year award in 2017 and 2018, becoming a key player for Liverpool.
16. Sadio Mané (Senegal) – 2019, 2020, 2022
Sadio Mané, a dynamic forward for Liverpool and the Senegalese national team, captured the African Footballer of the Year title in 2019, 2020, and 2022, demonstrating his explosive talent and significant contributions to African football.
17. Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon)
Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon) – 2021
Vincent Aboubakar was awarded the African Footballer of the Year in 2021 after his stellar performances in the Africa Cup of Nations, where he was the tournament’s top scorer, playing a pivotal role in Cameroon’s strong showing.
18. Mahmud Dalkhalil Khenissi (Tunisia) – 2023
In 2023, Mahmud Dalkhalil Khenissi emerged as the winner of the African Footballer of the Year award, recognized for his exceptional performances in domestic leagues and significant contributions to the Tunisian national team. His skills and impactful play solidified his place among Africa’s elite.
19. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – 2024
Victor Osimhen took home the African Footballer of the Year award in 2024 after an outstanding campaign with SSC Napoli, where his goal-scoring prowess helped lead the team to its first Serie A title in over three decades. Osimhen’s talent and drive make him one of the brightest stars in contemporary African football.
20. Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – 2025
In 2025, Ademola Lookman secured the African Footballer of the Year title, showcasing an impressive season in Europe and contributing significantly to the Nigerian national team’s efforts on the international stage. Lookman’s growth as a player exemplifies the talent emerging from the African continent.
Conclusion
The legacy of the FIFA African Footballer of the Year award reflects the tremendous impact that these remarkable athletes have had on the sport. Each winner has made significant contributions to their clubs and nations, inspiring future generations of footballers across Africa and beyond. As we celebrate these outstanding individuals, let us continue to support the growth and development of football throughout the African continent, ensuring that the legacy of excellence endures for many years to come.
Summary of Winners:
- Abedi Pele (Ghana) – 1992
- Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria) – 1993
- Emmanuel Amunike (Nigeria) – 1994
- George Weah (Liberia) – 1995
- Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria) – 1996, 1999, 2010
- Victor Ikpeba (Nigeria) – 1997
- Mustapha Hadji (Morocco) – 1998
- Patrick Mboma (Cameroon) – 2000
- El Hadji Diouf (Senegal) – 2001, 2002
- Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) – 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010
- Didier Drogba (Côte d’Ivoire) – 2006, 2009
- Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire) – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) – 2015
- Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – 2016
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – 2017, 2018
- Sadio Mané (Senegal) – 2019, 2020, 2022
- Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon) – 2021
- Mahmud Dalkhalil Khenissi (Tunisia) – 2023
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – 2024
- Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – 2025
Keywords:
- FIFA African Footballer of the Year
- African footballers
- George Weah
- Nwankwo Kanu
- Samuel Eto’o
- Didier Drogba
- Yaya Touré
- Mohamed Salah
- Sadio Mané
- Victor Osimhen
- Franck Kessié
- Abdallah Khenissi
- Ademola Lookman
