Many icons of African football collected medals, awards, and global acclaim, yet one honor remained beyond reach: lifting the Africa Cup of Nations. Even players who dominated European leagues and inspired generations could not always deliver continental success with their national teams. Below are five celebrated names whose careers never included an AFCON winner’s medal.
Many icons of African football collected medals, awards, and global acclaim, yet one honor remained beyond reach: lifting the Africa Cup of Nations. Even players who dominated European leagues and inspired generations could not always deliver continental success with their national teams. Below are five celebrated names whose careers never included an AFCON winner’s medal.
Liverpool’s talisman has built a glittering résumé at club level, becoming one of the most productive forwards of his era. Despite that success, international silverware has been harder to secure.
Egypt’s national side is historically the most decorated at AFCON, having secured seven titles. However, their most recent triumph came in 2010, before Salah had established himself as a senior international.
His early years with the Pharaohs coincided with a difficult period, as Egypt failed to reach the finals in 2012, 2013, and 2015. Salah’s first appearance at the tournament arrived in 2017, ending in heartbreak with defeat to Cameroon in the final.
Further disappointment followed. South Africa eliminated Egypt in the last 16 on home soil in 2019, while Senegal edged them on penalties in the 2021 final. Injured during the group stage in 2023, Salah watched from the sidelines as DR Congo knocked his country out in the second round.
At Chelsea, Drogba developed a reputation as a decisive figure on the biggest stages, regularly scoring in finals and lifting trophies. That same impact, however, did not translate into AFCON success.
Ivory Coast reached the final in 2006, only to lose a shootout against host nation Egypt after Drogba’s opening penalty was saved. Six years later, the Elephants returned as favorites but suffered another crushing defeat.
Against Zambia in 2012, Drogba missed a late spot kick in normal time, sending his effort over the bar. Although he converted in the subsequent shootout, Ivory Coast fell short once more.
Other campaigns ended in semi-final or quarter-final exits. Drogba stepped away from international duty in 2014, and months later his country finally claimed the trophy in 2015, again via penalties.
No African player has matched Weah’s individual accolades. His Ballon d’Or win in 1995 remains unmatched on the continent, underlining a remarkable club career across Europe.
Internationally, circumstances were very different. Liberia qualified for AFCON only twice during Weah’s time with the national team, limiting his opportunities on the continental stage.
The Lone Stars debuted in 1996, playing just two group matches after Nigeria withdrew. A win over Gabon and a loss to Zaire saw them eliminated on goal difference.
Six years later, Liberia returned. Weah, aged 35, scored once in a draw with Mali, but his team again exited at the group phase. He later served his country as president between 2018 and 2024, having never lifted AFCON’s top prize.
Kanu’s club journey brought major honors, including European titles with Ajax and Inter Milan, followed by domestic success in England. His early international career also sparkled.
He was central to Nigeria’s triumphs at the youth level and helped secure Olympic gold in 1996. Yet senior continental glory remained elusive.
The closest Nigeria came during Kanu’s era was the 2000 final. Facing Cameroon, the Super Eagles lost on penalties, with Kanu’s effort saved during the shootout.
Repeated semi-final defeats followed in subsequent editions, alongside a quarter-final exit in 2008. Kanu retired having won Olympic gold but only silver and bronze medals at AFCON.
Ghana last celebrated AFCON success in 1982, leaving later generations chasing a distant memory. Essien emerged as one of the country’s finest midfielders during that drought.
While he collected multiple honors with Chelsea, injuries and misfortune hindered his international ambitions. He featured as a teenager in 2002, when Ghana exited at the quarter-final stage.
Injury prevented participation in 2006, but Essien shone at the 2008 tournament on home soil, earning a place in the team of the competition despite a semi-final defeat.
He was sidelined midway through the 2010 edition as Ghana reached the final, only to lose narrowly to Egypt. Persistent fitness issues curtailed his international career, leaving AFCON success just out of reach.
