The Premier League has been graced by some of the finest African footballers in history. From the legendary Egyptian King to Chelsea’s Ivorian powerhouse, these players have consistently showcased their goal-scoring talents—much like my nan’s knack for criticizing every referee decision during Match of the Day!
With countless goals scored by Africa’s top superstars—such as Mohamed Salah, Didier Drogba, and Yaya Toure—we’ve witnessed unforgettable performances in the English top flight. Here’s my rundown of the top 10 highest-scoring African players in Premier League history.
10. Nwankwo Kanu (54 goals, 273 matches)
Nwankwo Kanu made his mark a bit earlier than most on this list. Arsenal signed the forward from Inter Milan in 1999 for just over £6 million—a true bargain. With over 100 top-flight appearances for the Gunners and 30 goals, he played a crucial role in securing two Premier League titles. After leaving Arsenal in 2004, he continued his career in England with West Brom and Portsmouth, adding 24 more goals before retiring in 2012.
9. Yaya Toure (62 goals, 230 matches)
Yaya Toure’s statistics are impressive for a central midfielder. Arriving from Barcelona in 2010 for around £25 million, many initially doubted the transfer. However, Toure quickly became a vital box-to-box midfielder, showcasing sublime skill and a remarkable work ethic. His standout 2013/14 season included a stunning 20 goals, helping Manchester City clinch Premier League glory.
8. Wilfried Zaha (68 goals, 305 matches)
Wilfried Zaha may be one of the Premier League’s most underrated wingers. At times, he single-handedly kept Crystal Palace afloat, often finishing as the club’s top scorer. After an unsuccessful spell at Manchester United, Zaha returned to Palace before seeking new opportunities at Galatasaray in 2023, where he celebrated scoring at Old Trafford in the Champions League.
7. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (69 goals, 143 matches)
While recent events have shifted the focus to his Arsenal departure and tough times at Chelsea, Aubameyang’s goal record is phenomenal. Joining Arsenal from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, he quickly made an impact with ten goals in just 13 league appearances. Over the next two seasons, he consistently scored 20+ goals before facing challenges that affected his form.
6. Riyad Mahrez (82 goals, 284 matches)
Riyad Mahrez, a treble-winner, ranks sixth with 82 goals during his time at Leicester and Manchester City. The Algerian was signed for a mere £400,000 by Leicester in 2014 and played a pivotal role in the Foxes’ fairy-tale title victory in the 2015/16 season, contributing an impressive 17 goals.
5. Yakubu Aiyegbeni (95 goals, 252 matches)
“Feed the Yak, and he will score,” became a favorite chant at Everton during Yakubu’s tenure. The Nigerian forward had a nine-year Premier League career, representing Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, and Blackburn Rovers. Known for his consistency, Yakubu recorded double-figure goal tallies in six top-flight seasons.
4. Emmanuel Adebayor (97 goals, 241 matches)
Emmanuel Adebayor’s journey through the Premier League included stints at Arsenal and Manchester City. Initially struggling after joining Arsenal from Monaco in 2006, he experienced a breakthrough season in 2007/08, netting 24 goals before moving to City in 2009.
3. Didier Drogba (104 goals, 254 matches)
Didier Drogba was a nightmare for defenders when on form. Joining Chelsea from Marseille in 2004, the Ivorian striker became a key figure in securing three Premier League titles for the Blues during his first spell at Stamford Bridge.
2. Sadio Mane (111 goals, 263 matches)
Sadio Mane established himself as a Premier League legend by relentlessly tormenting defenses. Originally joining Southampton in 2014, he scored the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history against Aston Villa. Mane later moved to Liverpool in 2016, joining forces with Salah and Firmino to create one of the league’s deadliest attacking trios.
1. Mohamed Salah (186 goals, 301 matches)
Sitting atop this list by a significant margin, Mohamed Salah is Liverpool’s Egyptian King. Since signing for the Reds in 2017 after a brief spell at Chelsea, Salah has been nothing short of sensational. He set a new record with 32 goals in a 38-game season during his debut campaign and has continued to shine, netting at least 18 goals every subsequent season. Now Liverpool’s third all-time top scorer, Salah has also broken Wayne Rooney’s record for the most games with both a goal and an assist. At this rate, his records may prove as challenging to break as my Saturday accumulator bets!