Over the years, the Premier League has been home to several African footballers who all made their marks in the English top-flight, with some going on to win the much-coveted league title with their respective clubs.
Their significant contributions and impact on the history of the Premier League cannot be overstated. From Nigeria’s Nwankwo Kanu to Algeria’s talismanic captain Riyad Mahrez, these players have shown that talent and hard work can overcome any obstacle.
As a result of their heroic exploits far away from home, Afrosport highlights the African players that have won the Premier League as they continue to inspire a new generation of African footballers to strive for greatness in the world’s most competitive football league.
Christopher Wreh – Liberia
The former Liberian international was the first African to win the Premier League title, a feat he achieved in the 1997/98 season with Arsenal.
Nwankwo Kanu – Nigeria
The former Super Eagles forward was part of the Arsenal squad that won the Premier League in the 2001/02 and 2003/04 seasons, where they ended up undefeated, giving birth to the “Invincible” tag.
Kanu played a vital role in both campaigns, scoring crucial goals and providing assists.
Quinton Fortune – South Africa
The South African settled in Manchester United after different spells across Europe. He won the Premier League with the Red Devils in the 2002-23 season.
Lauren Etame-Mayer – Cameroon
The ex-Cameroon international enjoyed a lovely spell at Arsenal where he was teammates with Kanu. He won the Premier League twice in the 2001-02 and 2003/04 seasons.
Kolo Toure – Ivory Coast
The Ivorian won the Premier League twice with Arsenal in the 2003/04 “Invincibles” season and with Manchester City in the 2011/12 season as he became the first African player to win the title with two different clubs. He was a key member of both squads, providing solid defensive performances throughout the campaigns.
Didier Drogba – Ivory Coast
Arguably the most successful African player in the Premier League, Drogba won the league title four times with Chelsea in the 2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10, and 2014/15 seasons. He was an instrumental figure in all of these title-winning campaigns, scoring crucial goals in big games and leading the line for the Blues.
Geremi Njitap – Cameroon
He won the Premier League on two separate occasions with the Jose Mourinho-led Chelsea in the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons.
Michael Essien – Ghana
The first Ghanaian to win the Premier League, Essien won two league titles with Chelsea in the 2005/06 and 2009/10 seasons. His versatility and tireless work rate made him a crucial player for the Blues.
John Mikel Obi – Nigeria
Mikel followed in the footsteps of Kanu but with a different club. The Nigerian, who was twice voted as Chelsea’s young player of the year, won the Premier League twice with the London side in the 2009/10 and 2014/15 seasons.
Salomon Kalou – Ivory Coast
Kalou won the Premier League once with Chelsea in the 2009/10 season under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti.
Yaya Toure – Ivory Coast
The former Ivorian international won the Premier League three times with Manchester City in the 2011/12, 2013/14, and 2014/15 seasons.
Toure was a dominant force in midfield for the Citizens, winning the club’s player of the year award in the 2012/14 season and was a part of the PFA Team of the Year in 2011/12 and 2013/14 seasons.
Riyad Mahrez – Algeria
Mahrez has won the Premier League five times: once with Leicester City in the 2015/16 season and four at Manchester City in the 2018/19, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons.
The Algerian winger is also on course to three-peat the Premier League if City end up as eventual winners in the 2022/23 season.
Sadio Mane – Senegal
The Senegalese forward won the Premier League once with Liverpool in the 2019/20 season. He was a vital part of the Reds’ title-winning campaign, scoring 18 goals and providing 7 assists in 35 appearances.
Jeffrey Schlupp – Ghana
The Crystal Palace midfielder was teammates with Mahrez at Leicester City where they won the Premier League in the 2015/16 season in what was deemed a “fairytale story”.
Daniel Amartey – Ghana
Just like Schlupp, Amartey won the Premier League with Leicester City in the 2015/16 season.
Victor Moses – Nigeria
Moses was an integral part of the Chelsea side that won the league in the 2016/17 season under Antonio Conte.
Mohamed Salah – Egypt
An all-time great in the Premier League, Salah has broken and set many records, including Liverpool’s first Premier League title alongside Mane in 2019/20 season.
Naby Keita – Guinea
Keita won the Premier League with Liverpool in 2019/20, his second season with the club. Although he is not the first Guinean to play in England’s top division, he is the first to win the Premier League.
Joel Matip – Cameroon
Joel Matip was an integral part of the Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool side that won the league in 2019/20 season where he formed a formidable partnership with Virgil Van Dijk.
