Who is the best African midfielder of all time?

From the Ivorian engine of Yaya Touré to the Ghanaian dynamism of Michael Essien, African midfielders have dominated the world stage. Who is the greatest of all time?

1

Yaya Touré

Ivory Coast's dominant box-to-box midfielder who was the Premier League Player of the Year four times with Manchester City.

2

Michael Essien

Ghana's all-action defensive midfielder and Chelsea's 'The Bison', one of the most powerful midfielders of his era.

3

Seydou Keïta

Mali's technically gifted playmaker who was a key part of Barcelona's treble-winning squad under Pep Guardiola.

4

Thomas Partey

Ghana and Arsenal's dynamic defensive midfielder known for his powerful shooting, tackling, and range of passing.

5

Franck Kessié

Ivory Coast's powerhouse midfielder who won Serie A with AC Milan and was AC Milan's key engine for multiple seasons.

6

Naby Keïta

Guinea's versatile and skillful midfielder who dazzled for RB Leipzig and Liverpool in the Champions League era.

7

Idrissa Gueye

Senegal's combative defensive midfielder who was one of the Premier League's best tacklers at Aston Villa and Everton.

8

Moussa Sissoko

Senegal's energetic and physically imposing midfielder who was a constant force for France despite his African heritage.

9

Sunday Oliseh

Nigeria's reliable defensive midfielder whose strike against Spain at the 1998 World Cup ranks among the tournament's finest goals.

10

Wilfried Zaha

Ivory Coast's tricky winger and Crystal Palace's long-serving star, one of Africa's most dynamic midfield-forward players.

11

Riyad Mahrez

Algeria's elegant right winger who won the Premier League with Leicester City and Manchester City while thrilling AFCON audiences.