Africa's Most Famous Soccer Players

Soccer is the most popular sport in Africa, and it has a very wide fan base in the black community. For many, especially in South Africa, one of the proudest moments in sports came when the country won the African Nations Cup in 1996. Soccer is followed by many, and local clubs are rapidly improving, developing players who go on to stardom in the various European clubs. This guide will tell you about some of Africa's most famous soccer players. The vast majority does not speak french as most other African countries but they speak south-african.

Steve Mokone

When President Thabo Mbeki handed out the Order of Ikhamanga, which is South Africa's highest award for achievement in sport- only two athletes won the gold class award; Steve Mokone was one of them. Mokone represented South Africa at 16 before becoming the first black from South Africa to play soccer professionally in Europe. After he signed up for Coventry City in 1955, he went on to superstardom playing for Torino, and became one of a select few players that earned more than ten thousand pounds a year.

Kaiser Motaung

South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs are so popular, every game is like a home game. The Chiefs, founded by legend Kaizer Motaung, sometimes have more fans at away games than the home team. As a child, Kaizer Motaung wanted to play for the Orlando Pirates; he did at 16, quickly establishing himself as a star. In 1968, Phil Woosnam recruited Motaung to play for the Atlanta Chiefs in the new North American Soccer League.

Samuel Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o Fils, born March 10, 1981, is a soccer player from Cameroon, who currently plays as a striker for the Italian Serie A Internazionale club; he is also the captain of the Cameroonian team. Eto'o got his training at Kadji Sports Academy, and he also has a Spanish passport so that he does not count as a foreign player in Europe.

Eto'o made over one hundred goals in 5 seasons with Barcelona, and has also had the most La Liga appearances by an African player. This year, he became the first-ever player to win two Trebles, following up his achievements with Internazionale and Barcelona.