The history of African football has seen numerous talented and exceptional goalkeepers. They have played for major clubs around the world, particularly in Europe. Moreover, these goalkeepers have been key figures for their national teams and are deeply admired and respected. However, to save time, let's just take a quick look at the best goalkeeper in Africa below.
Best goalkeeper in Africa all of the time
1. Carl Ikeme
Carl Ikeme, a seasoned goalkeeper who spent his entire professional career at Wolves, demonstrated unwavering loyalty despite being loaned out to eight different clubs over 15 years. His steadfast commitment was evident as he never signed a formal contract with any other club, remaining a loyal servant to Wolves throughout his playing days.
In 2015, Ikeme's career took a significant turn when he became Nigeria's first-choice goalkeeper, wearing the prestigious Super Eagles jersey on 10 occasions. His performances in goal earned him respect and admiration, cementing his status as a key figure in Nigerian football.
2. Andre Onana - The best goalkeeper in Africa
Onana was discovered playing football on the streets of Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, by a member of the Samuel Eto'o Foundation. At the age of 14, Barcelona signed the goalkeeper, where he refined his skills at the renowned La Masia youth academy of the Blaugrana.
The Cameroonian shot-stopper flourished during his time at Barcelona, especially excelling at the under-19 level. However, with the formidable presence of Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal, Onana boldly moved to Ajax in 2015. The acquisition of Onana could be a game-changer.
3. Richard Kingson - The best goalkeeper in Africa
Kingson enjoyed four successful years in English football, playing for Birmingham City, and Wigan Athletic, and making a notable contribution to Blackpool. Hailing from Ghana, where he is revered as a legend, Kingson earned 90 caps for the national team. He played in both the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
He left a lasting impression on his country's football history. Richard was a key member of the Black Stars squad that finished as runners-up in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, cementing his status as a legendary figure in Ghanaian football.
4. Edouard Mendy
Standing at an impressive 1.94 meters, Édouard Mendy commands the penalty area with authority. With his remarkable wingspan, the Senegalese goalkeeper dominates aerial duels with ease. Possessing exceptional spatial awareness, impeccable reflexes, and outstanding shot-stopping ability, Mendy is a formidable presence between the posts.
It's hard to believe that just seven years ago, Mendy was at risk of becoming unemployed. He was even advised to give up his dream of playing professional football. However, with the endorsement of Petr Čech and Christophe Lollichon, Chelsea boldly signed Édouard Mendy for £20 million. The rest, as they say, is history!
5. Bruce Grobbelaar - The best goalkeeper in Africa
Regarded as the finest goalkeeper Africa has ever produced, the Zimbabwean international attained legendary status at Liverpool, where he played a pivotal role in their European triumph in 1984. The success of the Reds in the final shootout against AS Roma was largely attributed to Grobbelaar's agility and brilliance.
During his 14-year spell at the club, he made a total of 628 appearances across all competitions. Bruce won six league titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups, and one European Cup.
6. Carlos Kameni - The best goalkeeper in Africa
Cameroonian goalkeeper Carlos Kameni enjoyed a distinguished career, making over 200 appearances for La Liga side Espanyol before moving to their rivals, Málaga, in early 2012. During his time at Espanyol, his consistent performances and solid goalkeeping earned him a reputation as one of La Liga’s top shot-stoppers.
In 2017, after a successful five-year spell with Malaga, Kameni moved to Fenerbahce, a prominent club in Turkey. His move to Fenerbahce marked a new chapter in his career, showcasing his versatility and adaptability in various football environments. One of the highlights of Kameni's illustrious career came during the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney when he played a crucial role for his team.
7. Vincent Enyeama
The former captain of Nigeria's national team amassed 101 appearances for the Super Eagles, making him the most-capped player in the country's history. His international career spanned from 2002 to 2015. He played a key role in Nigeria's triumph at the AFCON in 2013 and was named in the tournament's best XI.
At the club level, Enyeama played for Enyimba and won the CAF Champions League title twice. He later moved to Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2007, where he was named the prestigious 'Player of the Year' in 2009. The following season, he won both the league and cup with the Israeli club.
8. Ezzaki Badou - The best goalkeeper in Africa
Ezzaki Badou, commonly known as Zaki, is a Moroccan football icon who had a professional career spanning 17 years. He played for clubs such as AS Salé, Wydad Casablanca, and FUS Rabat, but he displayed his best football at RCD Mallorca in Spain. Zaki made over 160 appearances for Mallorca from 1986 to 1992 in Spain’s top two divisions.
In 1986, France Football honored him as the Best African Player. Three years later, he played a pivotal role in Mallorca's promotion to La Liga. He became the first African goalkeeper, alongside another shot-stopper, to win the Ricardo Zamora Trophy that season for having the lowest goals-to-games ratio.
9. Yassine Bounou - The best goalkeeper in Africa
Yassine Bounou, Morocco's national team goalkeeper, showcased his prowess by saving all penalties against Spain in the round-of-16 shootout. He continued his stellar performance in the quarter-final against Portugal, playing a crucial role in Morocco's narrow 1-0 victory.
This achievement propelled them to become the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. Bounou, commonly known as Bono, has been a key player for the Moroccan national team since 2013. He started in four matches at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and eight matches in the World Cup qualifiers.
10. Essam El-Hadary
El-Hadary played a crucial role in Al Ahly's dominant era in African football, helping the team win 16 domestic titles, seven African championships, and three Arab regional titles. Since making his debut in 1996, he has become one of the club's longest-serving goalkeepers.
El-Hadary holds the record for Egypt's most-capped goalkeeper with 159 appearances. He represented the Pharaohs in numerous African Cup of Nations tournaments, winning four titles, which also makes him the joint-most decorated player in the competition's history. Additionally, he was named in three teams of the tournament.
Conclusion
Now you know the best goalkeeper in Africa of all-time, based on the general assessment and insights of our admin. In football, goalkeepers play a crucial role. They are both ball distributors and the last line of defense against dangerous situations. African goalkeepers are increasingly sought after in the transfer market. That's why the online bookmaker list website has created this content to send to you, hoping you will be satisfied with what we share.
