Top 10 best goalkeepers in Africa that you may not know
Entering the 21st century, Africa has become a cradle for great goalkeepers, with outstanding talents from many different 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 for their team, but also leaders, bringing safety and confidence to their teammates. So who is the best goalkeeper in Africa? Let’s look back with kingsoccertips on the list of 10 best goalkeeper in Africa, those who have made their mark and are admired on the global football field.
Top 10 best goalkeepers in Africa today
1. Carl Ikeme
Carl Ikeme is an experienced goalkeeper who has been with Wolves throughout his professional career, never wavering despite being loaned to eight different clubs over the course of 15 years. His loyalty is evident in not signing an official contract with any other team, remaining a loyal symbol of Wolves throughout his playing time.
In 2015, Ikeme’s career witnessed an important turning point when he became the number one goalkeeper of the Nigerian team, wearing the famous Super Eagles shirt 10 times. 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 one of Africa’s most talented goalkeepers who began his career when he was discovered playing football on the streets of Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé by a member of the Samuel Eto’o Foundation. His excellence caught the attention of Barcelona, where he was 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, especially at the U19 level. However, with the presence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal, Onana made the bold decision to move to Ajax in 2015 in search of more regular playing opportunities. Under the guidance of coach Ten Hag, Onana has developed into one of the top goalkeepers in the Netherlands and has become a notable signing in the football world.
3. Richard Kingson
Richard Kingson is one of the best goalkeepers in Africa, having made a significant mark in his career, especially in English football and in the Ghana national team. Kingson spent four successful years at clubs in England, including Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, and especially 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 an important contribution 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, which finished runner-up at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, cementing his status as one of the great figures of Ghanaian football.
4. Edouard Mendy
With an imposant height of 1.94m, Édouard Mendy is not only a goalkeeper, but also a talented player in dominating the air 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 strong decision 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 honored as one of the best goalkeepers that 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, Grobbelaar’s 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 winning the European Cup once. With these impressive achievements, Bruce Grobbelaar is truly a legend of Liverpool and of African football.
6. Carlos Kameni
Carlos Kameni is a Cameroonian footballer who has made an outstanding career in football, especially when he played for Espanyol in La Liga, where he played more than 200 matches before moving to Malaga in early 2012. Time 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, demonstrating his versatility 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 time he played a key role in Nigeria’s victory at AFCON in 2013 and was named in the team of the tournament for that tournament.
At club level, Enyeama shined 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 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 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, along with one other goalkeeper, to win the Ricardo Zamora Trophy that season with the lowest goals-to-game ratio. That is a clear testament to Zaki’s stability and quality in the goalkeeper position.
9. Yassine Bounou
Yassine Bounou is the goalkeeper of the Moroccan national team. He showed his bravery when he blocked every shot of the Spanish players in the penalty shootout in the round of 16. He continued his excellent form in the quarter-final 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, having 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 on the international field.
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 regional titles. 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 medals in the tournament’s history. At the same time, El-Hadary was also recognized in three excellent squads of this tournament.
Conclude
Above is a list of the 10 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 ball distributors 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 following this article, we hope you will be satisfied with the information we share!
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