Who is the best goalkeeper in Africa? Top players reviewed
Entering the 21st century, Africa has become a cradle for great goalkeepers, with outstanding talents from various countries. From stunning saves to shaping the game from goal, African goalkeepers have undeniably contributed to the success of clubs and teams around the world. They are not only protectors of their team but also leaders, bringing safety and confidence to their teammates. Let’s review with Kingsoccertips the best goalkeeper in Africa, those who have made their mark and are admired on the global football stage.
Who is the best goalkeeper in Africa today?
1. Carl Ikeme
Carl Ikeme is an experienced goalkeeper who has been with Wolves throughout his professional career. Despite being loaned to eight clubs over 15 years, he never wavered in his loyalty. His loyalty is evident in his decision not to sign an official contract with any other team, making him a symbol of Wolves throughout his career.
In 2015, Ikeme’s career experienced an important turning point when he became the number one goalkeeper for the Nigerian team, making 10 appearances in the famous Super Eagles shirt. His consistent and reliable performances on the field have earned him respect and admiration, cementing his important position in Nigerian football.
2. Andre Onana
Andre Onana is the best goalkeeper in Africa. He began his career when a member of the Samuel Eto’o Foundation discovered him playing football on the streets of Yaoundé, Cameroon’s capital. His exceptional talent caught the attention of Barcelona, where he signed at the age of 14 and continued to develop his skills at the club’s La Masia youth academy.
At Barcelona, Onana quickly stood out, particularly in the U19 team. However, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen already established as the first-choice goalkeeper, Onana boldly decided to move to Ajax in 2015 to seek more playing time. Under coach Ten Hag’s guidance, Onana has become one of the top goalkeepers in the Netherlands and a notable name in the football world.
3. Richard Kingson
Richard Kingson is the best goalkeeper in Africa, having made a significant mark in his career, particularly in English football and with the Ghana national team. Kingson spent four successful years playing for English clubs, including Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, and most notably, Blackpool.
Born in Ghana, Kingson is revered as a legend in his homeland. He played 90 matches for the national team and participated in both the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup campaigns, making significant contributions to the team’s success.
During his career, Kingson left a lasting impression on the history of Ghanaian football. He was a key member of the Black Stars team that finished as runner-up at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, cementing his status as one of the great figures in Ghanaian football.
4. Edouard Mendy
With an imposing height of 1.94m, Édouard Mendy is not only a goalkeeper but also talented at dominating the aerial space on the field. His outstanding wingspan allows him to take control in contested situations, while his exceptional spatial awareness and excellent reflexes help him make impressive saves.
It’s hard to believe that just 7 years ago, Mendy faced the risk of unemployment and was even advised to give up his dream of professional football. However, with the support and trust of Petr Čech and Christophe Lollichon, Chelsea made a decisive move to recruit Mendy for £20 million. And as the famous saying goes, ‘The rest is history!’ Mendy has proven himself as one of the world’s top goalkeepers and is an integral part of Chelsea’s success.
5. Bruce Grobbelaar
Bruce Grobbelaar is a South African of Zimbabwean origin. He is regarded as the best goalkeeper in Africa has ever produced. Bruce Grobbelaar is an icon of Liverpool, where he played an important part in winning the European Championship in 1984. The classic match against AS Roma eventually ended in a penalty shootout, and his agility and intelligence played a key role in his team’s victory.
During his 14 years with Liverpool, he made his mark with 628 appearances in all competitions. Bruce not only helped Liverpool win 6 league titles, 3 FA Cup titles, and 3 League Cup titles, but also made an important contribution to their single European Cup victory. With these impressive achievements, Bruce Grobbelaar is truly a legend of Liverpool and African football.
6. Carlos Kameni
Carlos Kameni is a Cameroonian footballer who has had an outstanding career, particularly during his time at Espanyol in La Liga, where he played over 200 matches before moving to Malaga in early 2012. His time at Espanyol was highly regarded for his consistent performances and solid goalkeeping ability, making him one of the top shot-stoppers in the competition.
After five years of success at Malaga, Kameni moved to Fenerbahce in 2017, a prestigious club in Türkiye. The move to Fenerbahce marks a new turning point in his career, showing his versatility and adaptability in different football environments. Additionally, another highlight of Kameni’s illustrious career was his participation at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, showcasing his multifaceted talent not only in football but also in sports in general.
7. Vincent Enyeama
Vincent Enyeama, former captain of the Nigerian national team, made his mark with 101 appearances for the Super Eagles, surpassing all other players to become the West African nation’s most capped player. His international career spanned from 2002 to 2015, during which he played a key role in Nigeria’s victory at AFCON in 2013 and was named in the team of the tournament. Enyeama is widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in Africa, with his consistent performances and leadership solidifying his reputation during his time.
At the club level, Enyeama shone with Enyimba, winning the CAF Champions League title twice. He then moved to Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2007, where he won the ‘Player of the Year’ award in 2009. In the following season, he achieved a league and cup double with the Israeli club, proving his talent and important contribution to the team’s success.
8. Ezzaki Badou
Ezzaki Badou, commonly known by his nickname Zaki, is a football icon from Morocco with a professional career spanning 17 years. He represented many big clubs in his country such as AS Salé, Wydad Casablanca, and FUS Rabat, but it was at RCD Mallorca in Spain that he showed his best footballing ability. Zaki’s exceptional skill as a goalkeeper earned him recognition as the best goalkeeper in Africa during his time. Zaki played more than 160 matches for Mallorca between 1986 and 1992 in the top two Spanish leagues.
In 1986, France Football named him the Best African Footballer. Three years later, he played an important role in bringing Mallorca to La Liga. He became the first African goalkeeper to win the Ricardo Zamora Trophy that season with the lowest goals-to-game ratio, sharing this honor with another goalkeeper. That is a clear testament to Zaki’s stability and quality in the goalkeeper position.
9. Yassine Bounou
Yassine Bounou is the goalkeeper for the Moroccan national team. He showed his bravery by blocking every Spanish shot in the penalty shootout during the round of 16. He continued his excellent form in the quarterfinal against Portugal, playing a key role in Morocco’s narrow 1–0 victory.
This made them the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals. Bounou, commonly known as Bono, has been a regular in the Moroccan national team since 2013. He started four matches at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and eight matches in the World Cup qualifiers. His stability and quality have contributed significantly to the success of the Moroccan team in international competitions, showcasing his credentials as the best goalkeeper in Africa.
10. Essam El-Hadary
El-Hadary has played a key role in Al Ahly’s dominance in African football history, helping the team win 16 domestic titles, 7 African championships, and 3 Arab Club Championships. Since starting his career in 1996, he has become an icon of Al Ahly and is one of the club’s longest-serving goalkeepers.
El-Hadary holds the record for the most appearances for the Egyptian team with 159 matches. He participated in many Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and won four titles, making him the player with the most titles in the tournament’s history. At the same time, El-Hadary was also recognized in three Best XI squads of the tournament.
Conclusion
Here is a list of the best goalkeeper in Africa of all time based on overall reviews and comments. In football, the role of the goalkeeper is extremely important. They are not only the distributors of the ball but also the last line of defense against dangerous situations from the opponent. Therefore, goalkeepers from Africa are increasingly respected and sought after in the transfer market. Thank you for reading this article. We hope you are satisfied with the information we have shared!
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