Jay-Jay Okocha Includes Ghanaian Icons Abedi Pele and Tony Yeboah in His Top 5 African Footballers
Nigerian football icon Augustine “Jay-Jay” Okocha has ranked Ghanaian legends Abedi Ayew “Pele” and Tony Yeboah among his top five greatest African footballers of all time.
In a recent interview, the former Super Eagles captain unveiled his all-time African dream list, placing Liberia’s George Weah—the only African to win the Ballon d’Or—at the top. Okocha described Weah’s career as the pinnacle of African football achievement, citing his success across elite clubs in Europe and his enduring legacy.
Second on Okocha’s list was Abedi Pele, Ghana’s three-time African Footballer of the Year and a central figure in the Black Stars’ famed “Golden Generation.” Known for his extraordinary skill and vision, Pele famously led Olympique Marseille to UEFA Champions League glory in 1993, becoming a symbol of African excellence on the global stage.
Close behind in third place was Tony Yeboah, another Ghanaian great who dominated European football in the early 1990s. A lethal striker, Yeboah won back-to-back Bundesliga Golden Boots in 1993 and 1994 with Eintracht Frankfurt and later became a cult hero at Leeds United, where he was named the club’s Player of the Year in 1996.
Okocha humbly placed himself fourth on the list. During his illustrious career, the Nigerian maestro dazzled fans with his flair and creativity, winning the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and the Olympic gold medal in 1996. His club career spanned several top teams including Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahçe, and Paris Saint-Germain, where he famously mentored a young Ronaldinho.
Completing the top five was Ivorian forward Didier Drogba, best known for his legendary run with Chelsea FC, where he won multiple Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League. Okocha praised Drogba’s leadership and influence, both on and off the pitch.
Okocha’s list is a celebration of African football’s finest—players who not only achieved individual brilliance but also inspired generations across the continent. His inclusion of two Ghanaian stars reinforces the enduring impact of the nation’s footballing legacy.
At 52, Okocha remains a revered figure in global football, and his choices carry weight in a conversation that continues to shape how Africa’s football history is remembered.
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