The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a prestigious tournament that has witnessed some of the greatest players in the history of football battle it out for the coveted title. While many legends of the game have had the honor of lifting the AFCON trophy, there are also some iconic African players who, despite their immense talent and extraordinary careers, have never won the tournament. These players’ lack of AFCON glory is one of the greatest ironies in African football. Here’s a look at five of the greatest players who never managed to clinch the AFCON title, despite being household names in world football.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Mohamed Salah, often referred to as the Egyptian King, is arguably one of Africa’s greatest footballers. The Liverpool forward has achieved remarkable success at the club level, winning the Premier League, Champions League, and FIFA Club World Cup, among others. However, despite his impressive record in European football, Salah has never won the AFCON trophy with his national team, Egypt.
Salah’s journey with Egypt has been full of ups and downs. He first appeared in an AFCON tournament in 2017, where Egypt made it to the final, only to lose to Cameroon. In 2019, Egypt, led by Salah, were the hosts of AFCON, but they were shockingly eliminated in the Round of 16 by South Africa. However, Salah’s most agonizing defeat came in 2021 when Egypt once again reached the final, only to lose in a penalty shootout to Senegal. Salah’s penalty miss was particularly painful, as he was held back from taking the crucial fifth penalty, and Senegal triumphed 4-2.
At 33, Salah is entering his fifth AFCON and will be hoping that 2025 will be the year he finally lifts the trophy. His leadership and skill have been pivotal to Egypt’s successes, but despite his individual brilliance, the AFCON trophy has remained elusive. With AFCON 2025 now on the horizon, Salah will be hoping to lead Egypt to a victory that has long been out of reach.
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)
Didier Drogba, the powerful Chelsea striker, was a colossus on the field and one of the greatest players to ever come out of Africa. Drogba’s list of achievements at the club level is staggering, with the highlight being his Champions League victory with Chelsea in 2012. He was a talisman for the club, known for his goals in crucial moments. However, despite his legendary status, Drogba failed to win the AFCON with Ivory Coast, even though he came close on multiple occasions.
Drogba captained Ivory Coast to the AFCON final in 2006, where they faced Egypt. In a dramatic penalty shootout, Drogba’s penalty was saved, and Egypt won 4-2. Drogba’s next chance came in 2012, when he once again captained Ivory Coast to the final. This time, the Ivorians faced Zambia, and Drogba’s missed penalty in regular time proved to be costly. Despite scoring in the penalty shootout, Ivory Coast lost to Zambia, and Drogba’s wait for the AFCON title continued. Drogba’s failure to win AFCON was one of the great disappointments of his career, but he remains a hero in Ivory Coast and global football.
George Weah (Liberia)
George Weah is one of the most decorated African footballers of all time. In 1995, he became the first and only African player to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or, solidifying his place as a footballing legend. Weah’s career included stints with top European clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Chelsea, and he was known for his powerful runs, technical ability, and goalscoring prowess. Yet, despite his incredible success at the club level, Weah never won the AFCON with Liberia.
Weah’s international career was marred by Liberia’s lack of success in the AFCON tournament. His first appearance came in 1996, where Liberia made their debut in the competition but failed to make it past the group stage. In 2002, at the age of 35, Weah led Liberia to their second AFCON appearance, but they were once again eliminated at the group stage, despite Weah scoring a goal in the tournament. Weah’s inability to secure an AFCON title with Liberia is often regarded as one of the great tragedies in African football, considering his extraordinary talent and his status as one of the greatest African players in history.
After retiring from football, Weah transitioned into politics and became the President of Liberia in 2018, continuing his influence and leadership in his country, even if his international football legacy remains incomplete.
Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)
Nwankwo Kanu is one of Nigeria’s most iconic players, known for his silky dribbling, vision, and creativity. Kanu had an illustrious club career, including successful stints at Arsenal, Inter Milan, and Ajax, winning major trophies including the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. However, despite his individual brilliance, Kanu never won the AFCON title with Nigeria, despite coming close on several occasions.
Kanu’s closest opportunity came in 2000, when Nigeria reached the AFCON final but lost to Cameroon in a penalty shootout. Kanu’s penalty miss during the shootout was a painful moment in what was a devastating defeat for Nigeria. In the following years, Kanu and Nigeria faced several challenges, with semi-final losses in 2002, 2004, and 2006 and a quarter-final exit in 2008. Despite his considerable contributions to Nigeria’s footballing success, the AFCON trophy eluded Kanu, and he retired from international football without the continental glory he deserved.
Michael Essien (Ghana)
Michael Essien is widely regarded as one of the best central midfielders to come out of Africa. Known for his strength, technical ability, and leadership, Essien was a key figure in Chelsea’s success in the mid-2000s and played a central role in the club’s Premier League and Champions League victories. However, despite being one of Ghana’s greatest ever players, Essien was unable to secure the AFCON title.
Essien came closest to victory in 2010, when Ghana reached the final but was defeated 1-0 by Egypt. Despite a standout performance in the 2008 tournament, where Ghana lost in the semi-finals to Cameroon, Essien’s absence due to injury in 2010 meant that he couldn’t help his team as they lost in the final. Over the course of several AFCON tournaments, Essien saw his chances of winning slip away, and he retired without a continental title, despite winning everything at the club level.
