East Africa has long underperformed West Africa in terms of the number of players competing at the highest level in European leagues. However, the Acakoro Football Academy in Nairobi has shown its skill and beaten top youth teams like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. This gallery pictures some of the legends of African football that have rocked the world stage before them.
The future of Kenyan football —
East Africa has long underperformed West Africa in terms of the number of players competing at the highest level in European leagues. However, the Acakoro Football Academy in Nairobi has shown its skill and beaten top youth teams like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. This gallery pictures some of the legends of African football that have rocked the world stage before them.
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Former Chelsea star who also plays for the Ivory Coast national team, Drogba is the country's all time top scorer and has twice been named African Footballer of the Year.
Didier Drogba —
Former Chelsea star who also plays for the Ivory Coast national team, Drogba is the country's all time top scorer and has twice been named African Footballer of the Year.
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The newly elected president of Liberia, George Weah, is also one of Africa's most legendary football players. In 1995 he was the first African player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award. He played as a striker and had spells at Chelsea and Manchester City among other clubs.
George Weah —
The newly elected president of Liberia, George Weah, is also one of Africa's most legendary football players. In 1995 he was the first African player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award. He played as a striker and had spells at Chelsea and Manchester City among other clubs.
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Arguably Africa's most accomplished player, Eto'o played for Cameroon and most notably, Barcelona. He's scored in two Champions League finals and has played in four World Cups.
Samuel Eto'o —
Arguably Africa's most accomplished player, Eto'o played for Cameroon and most notably, Barcelona. He's scored in two Champions League finals and has played in four World Cups.
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A talisman of Premier League side Manchester City, Toure is a central midfielder who plays for the Ivory Coast national side. He's also played for Barcelona and Monaco.
Yaya Toure —
A talisman of Premier League side Manchester City, Toure is a central midfielder who plays for the Ivory Coast national side. He's also played for Barcelona and Monaco.
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A Ghanaian football player, Essien was signed for Chelsea in 2005 and at the time was the most expensive African player in history. He has represented Ghana at two World Cups and plays in midfield.
Michael Essien —
A Ghanaian football player, Essien was signed for Chelsea in 2005 and at the time was the most expensive African player in history. He has represented Ghana at two World Cups and plays in midfield.
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Now retired Nigerian striker Kanu played most notably for Arsenal and Inter Milan. He was a member of the "Invincibles," the Arsenal side that went unbeaten in the Premier League 2003-2004 season.
Nwankwo Kanu —
Now retired Nigerian striker Kanu played most notably for Arsenal and Inter Milan. He was a member of the "Invincibles," the Arsenal side that went unbeaten in the Premier League 2003-2004 season.
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A magician on the pitch and known for his dribbling skills, Okocha is a Nigerian player who played mostly at Paris Saint-Germain and English side Bolton Wanderers. He is regarded as one of the best ever Nigerian players.
Jay-Jay Okocha —
A magician on the pitch and known for his dribbling skills, Okocha is a Nigerian player who played mostly at Paris Saint-Germain and English side Bolton Wanderers. He is regarded as one of the best ever Nigerian players.
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Once the all-time top scorer for the Cameroonian national team, Mboma is a retired striker who was named African Footballer of the Year in 2000.
Patrick M'Boma —
Once the all-time top scorer for the Cameroonian national team, Mboma is a retired striker who was named African Footballer of the Year in 2000.
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