Top 5 African players in Bundesliga’s history

Ace Football presents a detailed list of the best African players to have starred in the German top-flight.

Bundesliga is famous for developing some of the best football talents in the history of the beautiful game. Several African players have reached their peak while playing for the Bundesliga sides, shaping crucial periods in the league’s history.

Let’s take a look at the best African players to have featured for Bundesliga clubs.

5- Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang

Aubameyang is the only active player who has made it to our list of greatest African players in Bundesliga history. The Gabonese star moved to Borussia Dortmund following his successful spell at Saint-Etienne.

When Aubameyang arrived at the club, Dortmund had just lost Robert Lewandowski and were desperate to quickly find their next striker. The Gabon star surprised the Black and Yellows with his quick rise to stardom at the club.

In his 213 appearances for the German giants, Aubameyang scored 141 goals and provided 36 assists. He won Bundesliga’s Golden Boot in the 2016-17 campaign, beating Lewandowski. His only trophy at the club came in 2017 when he claimed the DFB Pokal with the Balck and Yellows. The Gabonese star left the club a few months after the DFB Pokal final, choosing to continue his career at Arsenal.

4- Arthur Boka

Boka is probably among the most underrated Bundesliga players of all time. The Ivory Coast star joined Stuttgart from the French side Strasbourg in 2006.

The Ivorian’s great consistency and his attacking qualities earned him the nickname of ‘The African Roberto Carlos’. During his eight-year spell at Stuttgart, Boka made 207 appearances for the Bundesliga side.

The defender won the Bundesliga with Stuttgart in 2007, establishing himself as one of the finest left-backs in the league. Despite interest from several German clubs, Boka remained in Stuttgart until 2014, when he joined Malaga.

3- Anthony Yeboah

Yeboah started his European career by joining Saarbrucken in 1988. Only two years later, his performances convinced Eintracht Frankfurt to make him their first-ever African signing.

Despite a painful period of racist abuses and insults from fans, the Ghana star developed into a deadly striker in Frankfurt. He became the first African Bundesliga captain as a result of his consistent performances and outstanding leadership.

Yeboah featured in 156 appearances for the Eagles, scoring 89 goals and providing 28 assists. He won back-to-back Bundesliga Golden Boots in 1993 and 1994.

Frankfurt was a major force in the league during the Ghana great’s presence. However, the closest they came to winning the league was two third-place finishes in 1992 and 1993. Yeboah ended his five-year stay at the club in 1995 when he joined Leeds United to continue his career in England.

2- Sammy Kuffour

Arguably one of the best Bundesliga defenders of all time, Kuffour moved to Bayern as a teenager in 1993. After spending a short loan spell at Nurnberg, Kuffour was ready to break through Bayern’s senior team a year after his transfer.

The Ghana legend developed into a key player for the Bavarians and stayed for 11 years at the club. A versatile centre-back, Kuffour survived a host of changes to Bayern’s dugout during his stint at the club.

He won the Champions League with Bayern in 2001 while scoring for the Bavarians in the Intercontinental cup final a few months later. Kuffour made 277 appearances for Bayern, winning six Bundesliga titles and four DFB Pokals. The Ghanaian star left the club to join Roma on a free transfer in 2005.

1- Jay-Jay Okocha

Okocha is the greatest African player to have played in the Bundesliga. The Nigerian star joined Eintracht Frankfurt from Neunkirchen in 1992, quickly developing into a starter at the Bundesliga side.

In Frankfurt, Okocha linked up with Ghanaian star Anthony Yeboah, of whom we have spoken above. He spent four years at Eintracht and established himself as one of the most technically gifted midfielders of the league.

Okocha’s incredible goal against Bayern Munich remains as one of the most iconic moments in the history of the German top-flight. In his 116 appearances for the Eagles, Okocha scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists. Following Eintracht’s relegation to Bundesliga 2 in 1996, the Super Eagle joined Turkish side Fenerbahce.