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George Weah: Liberia's president no.1 in top 10 Africa’s greatest footballers ever

Friday, November 13, 2020 at 8:26 AM by Babajide Orevba

- George Weah was the toast in world football before he became Liberia’s president

- The former AC Milan striker has been named the best ever footballer from Africa

- Samuel Eto’o is in second place while Didier Drogba is third

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Liberian legend, George Uppong Weah, has emerged Africa’s greatest footballer of all-time in the latest compilation titled The Best African Footballers of All Time by UK outlet SunSport.

The former AC Milan striker retired in 2003 to venture into politics and he is the current president of his country Liberia.

Weah who scored 212 goals for club and country won the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2005 beating German legend Jurgen Klinsmann and Finnish star Jari Litmanen.

The former Lone Stars' captain who is now 53 years old also won three Africa Player of the Year Awards claiming it in 1989, 1994 and 1995.

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Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o is second on the list having won several titles with Barcelona and Inter Milan during his playing days.

The former Real Mallorca striker also won two AFCON tournaments - and was part of the team that won the Olympic gold medal in football in the year 2000.

Eto’o was named the Africa Player of the Year for a record four times winning it in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010.

He is also AFCON’s all-time highest goalscorer with 18 goals beating Laurent Pokou (14) and Rashidi Yekini (13).

George Weah: Liberian legend no.1 in top 10 Africa’s greatest footballers of all time — George Weah named greatest African footballer of all time. Photo: Matthew Ashton
Source: Getty Images

However, Nwankwo Kanu is the only Nigerian who made the top ten according to SunSport as he occupies seventh position.

The former Arsenal man won the Eredivisie with Ajax three times, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one International Cup – with the Dutch club.

Kanu’s reign at Arsenal also saw him win two Premier League titles as he was part of the 'Invincibles’ squad.

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He also won three FA Cups, one FA Charity Shield – and then another FA Cup title during his stint at Portsmouth.

Kanu was named Africa Footballer of the Year twice – in 1996 and 1999.

Below are the top 10 Africa’s greatest footballers of all-time according to SunSport.

10. Sadio Mane - Senegal

9. Michael Essien - Ghana

8. Mohamed Salah - Egypt

7. Nwankwo Kanu - Nigeria

6. Roger Milla - Cameroon

5. Yaya Toure - Ivory Coast

4. Abedi Pele - Ghana

3. Didier Drogba - Ivory Coast

2. Samuel Eto’o - Cameroon

1. George Weah - Liberia

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has disclosed that former team skipper Austin Jay Jay Okocha is Nigeria’s greatest player of all-time.

Due to his skill, the former Super Eagles captain was described as being 'so good that they named him twice' - a line immortalised in a terrace chant while he played for Bolton Wanderers.