Late Nigerian legend Rashidi Yekini has been ranked fifth among the greatest Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) players of all time, while another Super Eagles icon, Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, was placed eighth overall in an all-time AFCON ranking list published on Sports247 Nigeria.
Yekini, Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer with 37 goals, was celebrated for his dominant performances across several AFCON tournaments, particularly his role in Nigeria’s victory at Tunisia 1994 where he won the Golden Boot and best player awards.
Okocha, famed for his flair and creativity, also earned a high spot among the continent’s best AFCON performers recognised for his influence in the Super Eagles’ midfield during his AFCON appearances, most notably in Tunisia 2004, where he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
The list reflects contributions from players across multiple eras of African football, combining individual brilliance, tournament impact and historical significance. Rankings like these continue to spark debate among fans and pundits about the greatest talents ever to grace Africa’s biggest football stage.
Editorial
Football honours its legends not simply by trophies won, but by moments that echo in memory long after the final whistle. That Rashidi Yekini and Jay-Jay Okocha have been ranked among the elite of AFCON history is both fitting and revealing — not just of their ability, but of their enduring imprint on African football culture.
Yekini’s elevation to the top five of all-time greats encapsulates a career built on ruthless efficiency and decisive action. His performances, particularly in the 1994 AFCON where he topped the scoring charts and was named best player, were not merely illustrative of individual excellence they were catalysts for national triumph. In an era when Nigeria was forging its identity on the continental stage, Yekini’s goals were more than numbers they were narratives of hope, momentum and celebration.
Okocha, ranked eighth, occupies a different but equally illustrious niche. Where Yekini was tangible in goals, Okocha’s influence was intangible the subliminal joy he brought to twists of play, the audacious flicks that unsettled defences, the sheer artistry that made him a crowd magnet. Tunisia 2004 saw him crowned MVP of the tournament, proof that African football at its best values both efficacy and expression.
Such rankings inevitably stir debate some will argue for the inclusion of others, for placing different icons higher. Yet these lists do more than compile statistics they tell stories. They remind us that AFCON is not merely a competition, but a tapestry woven from individual brilliance, national pride and collective memory. In that tapestry, Yekini and Okocha will always be threads of gold.
Did You Know?
- Rashidi Yekini scored 13 goals across AFCON tournaments, placing him among the competition’s all-time top scorers behind Samuel Eto’o (18) and Laurent Pokou (14).
- At AFCON 1994 in Tunisia, Yekini won both the Golden Boot and the Best Player award as Nigeria won the title.
- Jay-Jay Okocha was named AFCON 2004 Most Valuable Player, the only Nigerian to receive that recognition in the modern tournament era.
- Nigeria has won the AFCON title three times (1980, 1994, 2013), with both Yekini and Okocha contributing significantly during their respective eras.
- AFCON awards for Best Player have been given since the 1950s, with legends like Roger Milla and Ahmed Hassan among past recipients — showing the deep history behind such all-time rankings.
