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In the presence of many major tournaments, the African cup of nations (AFCON) is the most revered trophy an African footballer can win within the continent.
In regions like Europe and South America were arguments can rage on as prestigious club competitions also stake claims as the superior outing, in Africa it’s void. The African cup of nations is undoubtedly the lead honours in this region.
A tourney thousands of players, greats within and outside the continent have graced. There remains a strong contingent of top players who the competition has unfortunately eluded across the entirety of their wholesome careers.
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Here’s a list of African footballers the esteemed tournament has eluded over time.
Didier Drogba
Former Ivorian forward Didier Drogba is arguably one of the deadliest forwards the continent has produced.
The two time African player of the year somehow missed out of this much coveted trophy. He retired from international football in 2014, a year prior to Ivory Coast’s 9-8 penalty triumph over Ghana in 2015.
Scoring 65 times for the Elephants, he was also a part of the teams that made the finals of the tournament in 2006 and 2012. The Chelsea legend marked a lot of laurels at club level but not this prestigious one with the Ivorian national team.
Nwankwo Kanu
Papilo as fondly called is the most decorated Nigerian footballer of all time and across the continent, only few will go toe-to-toe.
The former Super Eagles captain is the only footballer so far two win the African best on two different occasions without ever winning the AFCON. Kanu who was atypical of an African forward, nimble at feet, tall but rare displays of physicality.
He had successful spells which featured time with the likes of Arsenal, AFC Ajax and Portsmouth.
Papilo came nearest when Nigeria lost 4-3 on penalties to Cameroon at the Surulere National stadium in Lagos. He however was a part of the Atalanta ‘96 Olympic winning team for Nigeria.
Michael Essien
The Bison in his playing days was an industrious midfielder famed for his time with Chelsea and brief stints with AC Milan and Real Madrid.
Featuring in two world cup editions for the Black Stars, Essien could not achieve AFCON glory with the latter years of his career being plagued by injuries.
Obafemi Martins
Lethal forward Martins made his Super Eagles debut in 2004 and across his time of activity for the nation, the best he could show are two third-place AFCON finishes.
Obagoal spent illustrious time across European leagues with Levante UD, Newcastle United and Italian giants Inter Milan and spending the twilight years with Seattle Sounders in the MLS. He racked up a total of 18 goals in his 11 years with the Super Eagles.
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Frederick Kanoute
2007 African player of the year Frederick Kanoute is another this prestigious title evaded.
The former Mali skipper had entertaining periods in Europe with Tottenham Hotspur and Sevilla. Scoring 89 goals in 207 games for Sevilla FC where he quickly became a fan favourite.
Kanoute’s best finish at the AFCON was a semi-final berth with Mali in the 2004 nations cup edition.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni
Yak is the highest scoring Nigerian in premier league history across time with Everton, Blackburn rovers, Norwich City amongst others.
Yakubu featured in four nations cup editions and finished with a bronze medal in all but one of them.
A remarkable forward and lethal finisher will always be popular with his miss against South Korea at the 2010 world cup forever etched in memories.
Yakubu’s experience with the national team spanning over a decade saw him tally 21 goals in 57 games
Emmanuel Adebayor
Adebayor famously remembered for his 100m dart to celebrate his goal against former manager Arsene Wenger.
The former Togolese forward spent time with Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the premier league accompanied by a brief stint with Real Madrid.
Top scorer in qualification in the 2006 edition with 11 goals, however Togo had a poor outing in that edition.
The 2008 African player of the year amidst his lengthy club career never could secure the AFCON title on his CV.
George Weah
Awarded with the Balón d’or in 1995, Weah was truly one of the game’s greats in his day. Unlucky in terms of laurels at both his club and national team exploits.
The 25th executive president of Liberia managed to lead the nation to two different editions but there really was not enough to muster that tournament triumph for the nation.
Sammy Kuffour
With over 200 appearances for Bayern Munich where he spent over a decade and garnered 14 trophies.
Sam Kuffour was a mainstay of the Bavarians team in his playing days racking up Bundesliga titles and even the UEFA champions league.
An all time great, Kuffour could never attain an AFCON triumph with the Black Stars of Ghana. The peak of his time with the nation was the 2006 world cup outing.
Celestine Babayaro
A star in the 1993 world triumph of the golden eaglets, Babayaro made his AFCON debut in 2000 earning a silver medal with successive bronze medals in the next 2 editions.
The former Chelsea and Newcastle full back missed out on the 1994 tournament a year after his good outing with the Golden Eaglets.
Celestine Babayaro is one of the most recognized full backs in the Super Eagles history and his international exploits peaked with the 1996 Olympic gold of the dream team.
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