Five Etoos of African Football Who Never Won Afcon
National honour often eludes some of the greatest names in African football, from Mohamed Salah to Didier Drogba. Despite their talent and success with club teams, these players have yet to lift the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) trophy at the international level.
Mohamed Salah's journey with the Egyptian national team is marked by near-misses, including a heartbreaking loss in 2019 to South Africa. Drogba, a legendary striker for Chelsea and Ivory Coast, was twice defeated by penalties in Afcon finals, first against Egypt in 2006 and later while leading Ivory Coast in 2012.
Greats Miss Africa's Showpiece
Other names on the list include George Weah of Liberia, who remains the only African to win a Ballon d'Or, but could not translate this into Afcon success. Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu and Ghana's Michael Essien also failed to add the Afcon title to their illustrious club careers.
Who Are These Legends?
Born in 1968 in Abidjan, Drogba is a striker who represented not only his country but one of football’s biggest clubs. His goal in the 2015 final against Ghana, ironically decided by penalties, marked a bittersweet moment.
Meanwhile, George Weah's legacy as Liberia President adds another chapter to his storied career, but he remains without an Afcon title. A key member of Nigeria’s 1993 U-17 World Cup winners and 1996 Olympics medalists, Kanu had his biggest disappointment in the final against Cameroon in 2000.
Essien's talent was evident at Chelsea but not enough to secure success with Ghana. Injuries disrupted his Afcon career, resulting in missed matches and defeats for his national team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are these players still active and why didn't they achieve the Afcon title?
Their careers focused on clubs rather than international duty, with numerous missed opportunities due to form and injury. For example, Essien was often sidelined, while Drogba's penalties proved a recurring issue in crucial moments.