Kanu, Drogba, other African legends who did not win AFCON

Senegal’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 final football match between Senegal and Egypt at Stade d’Olembe in Yaounde on February 6, 2022. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Amid mixed reverence by some European elements, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) remains the biggest trophy an African footballer could win on the continent.

Unlike in Europe where the debate continues to be up on whether the UEFA Champions League is bigger and more glamorous than the Euro Championship, the AFCON is the most colourful footballing fiesta in Africa.

However, there are African football greats whose names would gather a crowd of people anywhere on the soil but the AFCON remained elusive on their incredible medal haul, despite having an impressive before retirement.

The Guardian examines a list of ten great African players who never won the golden AFCON trophy before calling it quits with the game of football.

Nwankwo Kanu

Nwankwo Kanu

But in place of that, the Arsenal and Nigerian legend had the most destructive deft touches you would find in the game.

Kanu remains the most decorated Nigerian footballer in history and hardly is any male African player active or retired who would compete with him in terms of the number of trophies won.

Fondly called “Papilo” during his playing days, the 47-year-old won one UEFA Champions League title, three Dutch Eredivisie titles, one Dutch Super Cup and one Intercontinental Cup.

Kanu moved to England with Arsenal in 1999 and won two Premier League titles, three English FA Cup titles and one English Super Cup.

One of his FA Cup titles was with Portsmouth, also in England. He also won one UEFA Super Cup with Inter Milan.

He led Nigeria’s U-23 team to the