Nigeria and the Top 5 African Golden Generations in Football
- The African continent has produced some legendary football Golden Generations over the last few decades
- Nigeria's iconic team in the mid to late 1990s that won the Olympic gold medal is a perfect example of a Golden Generation
- Globally, Spain, Italy, Brazil, and France produced superb teams that won World Cups and continental crowns
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers kicked off earlier this week.
International football has witnessed some iconic teams in the last few decades, usually called Golden Generations.
Africa has produced several Golden Generations. Some lived to their potential while others won it all.
Source: UGC
Golden Generation is always used to describe a group of talented players at their peak playing for one team. Countries like Brazil and Spain have had incredible teams in the past that won World Cups.
In the last few decades, Africa produced legendary Golden Generations but not all experienced success. In fact, a few made a mark at the World Cup. Here are the top African Golden Generations, per Bleacher Report.
African Golden generations
6. Ghana - 2009
The Black Stars are known as one of the giants of African football, but they have flattered to deceive. Their performances in AFCON haven't met expectations, and they will be looking for their first title since 1982 in Morocco.
The West Africans won the U-20 FIFA World Cup in 2009 after beating Brazil in the final in Egypt. That team included stars Daniel Adjei, Samuel Inkoom, Jonathan, David Addy, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Andre Ayew, Daniel Opare, and Mohammed Rabiu.
Few of them made it to the elite level and a handful played at the 2010 World Cup.
5. Senegal - 2002
The Lions of Teranga were arguably the best team in Africa in the early 2000s alongside Cameroon. They lost the 2002 AFCON final but made a mark at the World Cup later that year, reaching the quarter-final.
That team had talents like El-Hadji Diouf, Papa Bouba Diop, Henri Camara, and Aliou Cisse. Interestingly, Aliou Cisse coached them to AFCON glory in 2021.
4. Cote d'Ivoire - 2006-2015
Ivory Coast assembled one of the greatest teams ever in Africa. Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, and Kolo Toure were part of that team, but they fell short on many occasions.
They reached the 2006 World Cup but failed to progress past the group stage. In 2015, the success they craved came at the 2015 AFCON. They are considered underachievers. The Elephants clinched their third title earlier this year on home soil, per BBC.
3. Nigeria - 1994-1998
The Super Eagles are undoubtedly one of the biggest football countries on the African continent. They have consistently produced some of Africa's best players and have had some great teams too.
In the mid to late 1990s, they had a world-class team filled with talents like Jay-Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Emmanuel Amunike, Nwankwo Kanu, Daniel Amokachi, Celestine Babayaro, Victor Ikpeba and Taribo West, to name a few.
After winning their second AFCON, they reached the World Cup for the first time in 1994 and reached the Round of 16. At the 1996 Olympic Games, they won the gold medal and upset Spain at the 1998 World Cup.
2. Egypt - 2006 - 2010
The Pharaohs have won the most AFCON titles, three of which came in 2006, 2008, and 2010. No one could stop them during that period.
The team included Wael Gomaa, Essam El-Hadary, Ahmed Hassan, Hossam Hassan, Mohamed Aboutrika, Amr Zaki, Gedo, Mido, and others.
However, failure to qualify for the World Cup was a dent in their legacy.
1. Cameroon
After Egypt, Cameroon has won the most AFCON titles with five. In the Early 2000s, they were unstoppable. At the start of the Millennium, they won the 2000 AFCON, the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics, and another AFCON in 2002.
The death of Marc-Vivien Foe at the 2003 Confederations Cup deprived them of a crucial member of the team. They were never the same after that, but it remains their most successful era.
Ademola Lookman only African nominee at Ballon d'Or
Briefly News earlier reported that Ademola Lookman has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, capping off a remarkable year for the Nigerian star.
The Super Eagles midfielder is the sole African on the 30-man shortlist announced on Wednesday night. Lookman’s impressive form saw him lead Nigeria to a runner-up finish at AFCON 2023 and guide Atalanta to Europa League glory.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
