1. Bruce GROBBELAAR
His trademark moustache and goalline heroics made the Zimbabwean a Liverpool legend, something like the
scorpion kick goalkeeper Rene Higuita in shorts.
2. LAUREN Etame Meyer
When Cameroon won the African Cup of Nations before his move to Arsenal, Lauren stood out for me as a calm and collected penalty taker. With his versatility on the right flank and crosses, the 2004 Invincibles fittingly benefitted from his efforts.
3. Lucas RADEBE
Leeds FC was on fire in the early 2000s and the South African captain was part of their unbelievable engine as centre back. Elland Road deservedly witnessed a UEFA Champions League semifinal in 2001.
4. Kolo TOURE
He scored his first Premiership goal on his debut - Sunday 1st October 2002 (Also the day I became a Muslim), but Arsene Wenger transformed him from a striker to a reliable defender alongside Sol Campbell after the departure of Tony Adams. He was truly an Invincible 49er.
5. Sulley MUNTARI
With a powerful left shot and dribbling acumen, Muntari had class at Sunderland and an eye for goal at Portsmouth.
6. Michael ESSIEN
Very strong Ghanaian but marauded quite fast, was a wall in the midfield and scored some powerful goals.
7. Augustine Jay Jay OKOCHA
If you are looking for a dribbler and entertainer from Africa, then this is the man! The Nigerian impressed during the 1998 FIFA World Cup with his sidestepping stepover plus an audacious "rainbow" dribble of lifting the ball directly from the ground over an opponent with his heels. His long range goals in the Premiership are a collector's item.
8. YAYA TOURE
A force to reckon with, was very instrumental in Manchester City's first Premiership title win and has been African Player of the Year a number of times. He is the Patrick Vieira of the lot.
9. Nwankwo KANU The beanpole Nigerian played soccer like the ball was tied to his shoelaces. Most Unforgettable Premiership Moment was when he came on as a substitute with Chelsea leading 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in 1999 and scored a game-winning hattrick within 15 minutes. The winner came in extra time. Power went off at halftime in Kampala (Uganda) where I was residing, with Chelsea already 2 goals ahead but the following night after having given up
because of the superior way Chelsea played, I saw the full time results and screamed while my mum was knitting. She probably wondered what was wrong with me. Kanu was part of the Invincibles and also won the FA Cup for Portsmouth with a cheeky backheel.
10. Samuel ETO'O
He had already won everything, minus the World Cup of course, before joining Chelsea and then Everton but he makes my list because of his outstanding history. Even in the Premiership, he still reminded us of his past brilliance, how about a hattrick against the mighty Manchester United?
11. Didier DROGBA
When he joined Chelsea, I told my
cousin that everyone was going to hear about Didier. I just felt it in my spirit despite being a Gooner. Funny thing is, he was also a Gooner while growing up but kept tormenting Arsenal whenever the Gunners played the Blues. Overall though, his strength, relaxed game reading and zest for success puts him at the top of my list, the First Player to win a UEFA Champions League title for a London club. Maybe Arsenal's first triumph will come through a European or another African, GOD-willing!
My Substitutes would include: Tony YEBOAH, Benni McCARTHY, Andre AYEW, Taribo WEST and George WEAH...
