Sportskeeda’s Greatest African XI 

Africa is a continent that has provided football with some of the finest players it has ever seen. From the likes of George Weah to Yaya Toure, the African continent has been responsible for the creation of many stars in the footballing universe.

Unfortunately, however, no African team has reached the semi-finals of the World Cup even once – let alone winning it. It is a shame, really, that most of the best African players came from different countries.

Had they all united and represented the continent itself – which is impossible, I know – then things might have been different for them. Since this is not possible in real life, we attempt to bring it to fruition in this slider as we list down the greatest African XI ever, in a 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper: Thomas N'Kono

There is no room for debate here as Thomas N’Kono is the obvious choice. The one thing that Africa hasn't been able to produce on a consistent basis is quality goalkeepers. Currently, only Carlos Kameni comes to mind as a good African goalkeeper, but even he doesn’t play for a top club.

In this regard, even N’Kono couldn’t play for elite-level clubs. The Cameroonian spent most of his career at Espanyol – just like Kameni did later – but what sets him apart from the former Malaga goalkeeper is his two African Player of the Year awards in 1979 and 1982.

N’Kono was known for acrobatic skills as a goalkeeper and his tendency to make the spectacular out-of-the-blue save. The great Gianluigi Buffon, whom many regard as the greatest goalkeeper of all time, apparently decided to become a shot-stopper after watching him play for Cameroon in the 1990 World Cup.

Buffon also named his first son Louis Thomas in honour of the Cameroon legend. That’s something, isn’t it?

Defence

One of Africa's finest

The backline of the African XI consists of some really strong players that can outmuscle almost any attacker in the world. At right-back, former Arsenal man, Lauren Bisan, will take the spot. The Cameroonian was a part of the Arsenal team that won two league titles, one of which was the invincible season.

Initially a midfielder, Wenger played him on the right – much to his discontent – but he soon realised that it was his best position and forged a formidable partnership with the other defenders in the Arsenal backline.

At left-back, we go with a Nigerian player that played in Europe for a long time and was, at one point, Milan's starting left-back: Taye Taiwo. The Nigerian was a key member for Marseille and won the Ligue 1 with them in 2010.

At the heart of the defence, former Manchester City and Arsenal defender, Kolo Toure, will be partnered by former Egypt international, Wael Goma. The latter is a three-time AFCON-winning Al Ahly legend while the former is remembered for his time at Arsenal and Ivory Coast.

At their peaks, both defenders were strong as well as fast. Despite not being very tall, both held their own in the air and forwards found it quite hard to get the better of them.

Midfield

Essien was the epitome of a complete holding midfielder

This is where the fun begins. Africa has produced some of the strongest midfielders of all time, but none were better than Michael Essien at his peak. The Ghanian was a walking tank – a Bison, like he is known – and could run through a wall for his manager.

His dedication and strength were unparalleled and had it not been for injuries, he might as well have ended his career as the greatest holding midfielder of all time.

Just ahead of him and on the right will be Yaya Toure. The Ivorian is perhaps the greatest ever midfielder produced by the continent and might go down as the greatest African player in history if he continues to impress at Manchester City.

To his left is a player from Ghana who was so graceful that his fans gave him the nickname the “African Pele” – a name that stuck. Abedi Pele will complete the midfield trio in what is a formidable line-up indeed possessing everything a team need from their midfield: pace, directness, scoring threat, defensive security and unbounded creativity.

Attack

One of the best strikers of our time

Basically, all the players chosen to attack for the Africa XI were strikers for their respective teams, but they were quite versatile and would do well even in an unorthodox position. Samuel Eto’o, the Cameroonian, regarded by many as Africa’s greatest ever player, will work his magic from the right-wing like he did at Inter.

On the left, it will be the duty of the only African player to have won the Ballon d’Or, George Weah, to cut inside and use his raw strength to beat defenders and provide a scoring threat – a la Cristiano Ronaldo. The Liberian was instrumental in inspiring many forwards and was the first really complete forwards of his time.

And finally, we all know who is going to be the striker here: Adeba-haha! Gotcha! You thought I would say Adebayor?! This might as well have happened had he fulfilled his potential. As a result, Didier Drogba will lead the line and unleash the scoring ability of his two partners, Weah and Eto’o, with his ever-impressive play-linking abilities.

Eto’o will captain the team. The Cameroonian was actually asked by Jose Mourinho to give the pre-match dressing room speech prior to the Champions League final in 2010. In the presence of Javier Zanetti, that’s impressive.