Through the years, the Premier League has turn out to be a stage the place African footballers have persistently dazzled with their mix of velocity, energy, creativity and willpower.
Africa has produced an incredible mixture of brilliance, from commanding defenders to electrical wingers and deadly strikers. These gamers have not simply participated; they’ve redefined their roles and left legacies that proceed to encourage.
This is a have a look at the highest 10 African goalscorers in Premier League historical past as of August 2025 and what made every of them so iconic.
1. Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – 186 targets
Mohamed Salah is not simply the highest African goalscorer in Premier League historical past; he is additionally essentially the most prolific international participant within the competitors. Recognized for his blistering tempo, clever positioning and medical ending, Salah has been a continuing risk since arriving at Liverpool in 2017.
He holds the report for many targets by an African in a single season with 32 and has received the Golden Boot 4 occasions. Past scoring, Salah has additionally turn out to be Africa’s main help supplier in Premier League historical past with 87.
2. Sadio Mane (Senegal) – 111 targets
Sadio Mane introduced aptitude and ferocity to the Premier League, first lighting up St Mary’s with Southampton after which taking issues up a number of notches at Liverpool. His sharp actions, fast ft and excessive work price made him a nightmare for defenders.
In 2019 he claimed the Premier League Golden Boot, a testomony to his evolution right into a world-class attacker. With Mane on the left and Salah on the suitable, Liverpool loved a golden period of attacking soccer, profitable each the Premier League and the Champions League. Mané additionally led Senegal to their first Africa Cup of Nations title, underlining his impression on and off English soil.
3. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) 104 targets
No striker embodied the phrase “big-game participant” like Didier Drogba. With 104 Premier League targets, Drogba terrorised defenders together with his energy, aerial dominance, and unwavering composure below stress.
A dominant power at Chelsea, he was recognized for his physicality, aerial prowess and clutch performances in finals. Drogba received 4 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups and the Champions League in 2012, the place he scored a late equaliser and the profitable penalty within the ultimate.
4. Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo) – 97 Targets
Emmanuel Adebayor had a Premier League journey that spanned Arsenal, Manchester Metropolis, Tottenham and Crystal Palace, and he introduced a mixture of magnificence and physicality to each membership he performed for.
His 30-goal haul within the 2007-08 season for Arsenal was a spotlight of his profession. Adebayor’s means to thrive at a number of prime golf equipment is a testomony to his adaptability and technical prowess.
5. Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Nigeria) – 95 targets
Yakubu Aiyegbeni was a grasp of being in the suitable place on the proper time. Robust, composed, and medical contained in the field, he persistently delivered targets for mid-table sides like Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, and Blackburn.
His finest scoring season got here in 2011-12 with Blackburn, the place he netted 17 targets. Yakubu wasn’t flashy, however he was environment friendly, and his calm ending below stress made him one of the crucial constant African strikers the league has seen.
6. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – 82 targets
Mahrez first lit up the stage at Leicester Metropolis, the place his aptitude, dribbling and creativity helped energy the Foxes to an unbelievable title in 2016. That season earned him the PFA Gamers’ Participant of the 12 months award.
He later moved to Manchester Metropolis, the place he received extra silverware, together with a number of league titles and the Champions League. His left foot delivered magic repeatedly, and he grew to become an emblem of the trendy skill-heavy winger.
7. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon) – 69 targets
Aubameyang, inside months of becoming a member of Arsenal in 2018, was already among the many prime scorers. His electrical tempo, intelligent motion and tidy ending made him a nightmare for defenders.
He shared the Golden Boot within the 2018-19 season and remained Arsenal’s go-to man till his kind dipped. Whereas his Chelsea stint did not bear fruit, his time at Arsenal secured his place amongst Africa’s prime Premier League scorers.
8. Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast) – 68 targets
Regardless of a quick stint at Manchester United, Zaha made his identify at Crystal Palace, the place he was not only a star however an emblem. His dribbling tempo and trickery tormented full-backs week in, week out. Extra than simply targets, Zaha was usually the spark in Palace’s assault and repeatedly drew fouls in harmful areas.
He holds the report for many Premier League appearances by a Crystal Palace participant, and his affect prolonged far past his aim tally.
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9. Yaya Touré (Ivory Coast) – 62 targets
Yaya Touré redefined what it meant to be a central midfielder. Along with his means to interrupt strains with highly effective runs and ship thunderous strikes from a distance, Touré was a novel risk.
His standout season got here in 2013-14 when he scored 20 league targets, an outrageous quantity for a midfielder, serving to Manchester Metropolis win the title. He received three Premier League titles with Metropolis and stays one of the crucial full midfielders the league has seen.
10. Nwankwo Kanu – Nigeria – 54 targets
Kanu might not have the numbers some others on this checklist do, however his impression and magnificence on the pitch have been simple. Tall and gangly however extremely skilful, Kanu introduced a novel presence to Arsenal after arriving in 1999.
He was a part of the legendary Invincibles squad and in addition received a number of FA Cups. One in all his most memorable moments got here when he scored a shocking hat-trick towards Chelsea in 1999, turning the sport on its head in dramatic trend. Past targets, Kanu’s aptitude and imaginative and prescient made him one of the crucial liked African exports in English soccer.
