Top 10 Best Football Teams In Africa 2023 (National)

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Africans are very passionate about football; it is one of the few things that bring real joy to the continent. Few teams have remained in contention as the best football teams in Africa for long periods; this is because there is a perpetual struggle for dominance among African football nations; everybody is fighting to unseat the champion and bring smiles to the faces of the people back home.

To take part in this struggle; African stars abandon club duties in Europe, Asia, and America and head home to wear their country’s colours in the African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) which is held every two years. This competition which has been called ‘a small tournament’ means everything to Africans and draws in more attention than other similar competitions in other continents.

Winning or at least performing well at this competition is the major yardstick by which a team’s strengths are measured; this is how you announce your arrival to the continent and the world in general.

Top 10 Best Football Teams In Africa

1. Morocco

The Atlas Lions of Morocco seem to have their best year presently with an impressive run in the last World Cup with the team getting to the quarter-final. Nevertheless, this North African team has produced some top performances over the years; bulldozing their way to victory on several occasions. With their good league system, they have produced solid players and teams that have made them genuine contenders over the years, but they have still not been able to achieve as much as their counterparts in North Africa.

The North African country has been impressive as far as continental football is concerned. Africa will always remember the exploits of Mustapha Hadji; who was one of a generation of African superstars who made their impact felt all over the world. Today Morocco has players like Hakim Ziyech, Ryad Boudebouz, and Achraf Hakimi.

2. Egypt

Egypt remains the king of African football; the most dominant and most fearsome team. The Pharaohs of Egypt as they are called; are the most successful team in the history of African football.

Egyptians are passionate about their football; they also have the most successful club side in the world; the almighty Al Ahly of Egypt. This passion has yielded very good fruits; they have won the African Cup of Nations a record 7 times, including a dominant gold-winning streak from 2006 to 2010.

They play with their crowd behind them; you do not want to be the away side playing at the Cairo International Stadium which can hold 90,000 people, screaming at the top of their lungs! It is almost impossible to win against Egypt when they play at that stadium which is nicknamed The Fortress. Egypt believes in the development of their team; at one time you had to play at the Egyptian League in order to play for the national team; players, therefore, preferred to stay in Egypt rather than play in Europe.

Some of the big stars that have worn Black, Red, and White include Hossam Hassan, Mido, Mohammed Aboutrika, and Mo Salah.

3. Cameroon

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are absolute lions on the pitch; they have bulldozed their way to victory many times in Africa, and even on the world stage. Cameroon has won the African Cup Of Nations tournament five times and they have reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Italia 90 plus and an impressive run in the last world cup.

Cameroon has also consistently produced footballers of incredible quality; which is a major reason why Cameroon is one of the best football teams in Africa. You just have to see the clips of Roger Milla, Rigobert Song, and Samuel Eto’o to understand the level of greatness that they have produced. Cameroon has produced the best player in Africa 11 times which is more than anyone else has ever managed; Samuel Eto’o deserved to win it four times, overshadowing great players like Austin Jay Jay Okocha of Nigeria.

4. Nigeria

The Super Eagles have had their own fair share of challenges in recent years, but remain one of the best teams on the continent. The Nigerian team has won the Africa Cup of Nations on three different occasions. In fact, as of the early 1990s, the side was nicknamed The Giant of Africa for their prowess in the game, as well as their superb success. In 1994, the team was placed on the 5th spot in FIFA World rankings and became the only African country that has reached such heights.

With a record number of Bronze medals, Nigeria deserves to be in the third position. The Super Eagles of Nigeria is perhaps the most popular National soccer team in Africa, they are a delight to watch because of the beautiful style of football they are known for. The Golden Generation of Nigerian Footballers was that of 1994; they won the Afcon that year and put on dazzling displays at the World Cup.

Nigeria has 3 winner’s medals, four silver medals, and a record eight bronze medals. Even though they have never made it past the group stage; their performances at USA 94 saw them ranked at number 5 in the world.

Some Nigerian stars include; the Legendary Rashidi Yekini, Segun Odegbami, Jay Jay Okocha, and Kanu Nwankwo.

5. Ghana

The Black Stars of Ghana is one of the most balanced soccer teams in Africa. It has all the qualities of a great and formidable side; including a solid history, great players, and passionate fans that always demand more from their players in the form of victories, good quality of play, and of course medals. Ghana has a great league system too, and more young stars are constantly being discovered on a regular basis.

Ghana has won AFCON four times, and they have even played in the Quarter Finals of the world cup. They were one spot-kick away from a place in the Semi-Finals, but the spot-kick was missed. Some of the great players to have played for the Black Stars of Ghana include Abedi Pele, Michael Essien, and Asamoah Gyan who holds the record for most appearances (109) and most goals (51) for Ghana National Team.

6. Senegal

Popularly known as The Lions of Teranga, the team, which was established in the 1960s, Senegal has recently won their first African Cup OF Nations title in Cameroon 2021. That title win, however, was only to confirm what we already know; Senegal is one of the consistently dominant teams in Africa.

They play with such confidence; speed and passion that makes them incredibly difficult to play against. Senegal has been on the rise for years; they announced their arrival in 2002 with players like Aliou Cisse, El Hadj Diouf, and Kalilou Fadiga. They made it to the final but lost to Cameroon. Subsequently, they reached the World Cup quarter-finals, losing to Turkey.

Some of the Players to bring honour to Senegal include: Aliou Cisse, El Hadj Diouf, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Sadio Mane.

7. Algeria

The Desert Foxes of Algeria is the type of team that can beat anybody in the world on their day. However, what they have lacked is the consistency to continue to dominate the African football scene in the manner that they certainly have the talent to. Perhaps with their recent gold medal, they will have the zeal and passion to break out of the shadow of countries like Tunisia and Egypt.

The North African country can boast of some talented and skillful players who are plying their trades in Europe, and their collective efforts have ensured the rising of their nation.

Algeria has won the AFCON tournament twice, and they have also played the World Cup several times. Algeria has a very solid league system, and they constantly produce top-quality players. Some of the players who have performed for Algeria include Sofiane Feghouli, Islam Slimani, and of course Riyad Mahrez.

8. Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast is one of the toughest countries in Africa as far as football is concerned. The side is known for its superb way of playing football and has been able to achieve a lot in the history of Afcon. They play like a true West African country; they are physically strong, quick, and technically gifted. They have the passion, the will, and the belief in their abilities.

Ivory Coast has won the AFCON two times. They are the kind of team that you don’t want to play against when they are in their element; they produce completely dominant performances. Their golden generation was the set from 2006 to 2014, and in 2015 they won the Afcon.

The country has produced some superb African legends who made their marks in Europe – the likes of Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Emmanuel Eboue, Yaya Toure, and so on. These guys, who traded their skills at top teams in Europe, were able to tirelessly turn their country into a superpower as far as African football is concerned.

9. Tunisia

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia have only won the AFCON once; a thing that is quite surprising considering the good league system, and the quality of players they regularly produce. They have produced a second-place performance before, and that was in the 1960s, while they have also come in at number 4. Their title win came in 2004 when all eyes were set on Cameroon and Nigeria.

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are still regarded as tough fish in African football.

10. South Africa

South Africa is quite passionate about football; perhaps that is why they designed their jerseys to look like Brazilians. South Africa has the best league system below the Sahara; most of their stars play in the local league, and footballers from all over the continent and beyond come in to play there. South Africa has won the Afcon one time.

Some of the stars of South Africa are Lucas Radebe, Sphiwe Tshabalala, and Benny McCarthy.

Finally

The best teams in Africa did not suddenly come up into dominance; it takes years of consistently proving your worth against quality opposition to become relevant on the African football scene. While the focus should not be on producing superstar players; it is certainly in your best interest to have top-quality players who can dazzle the crowds and win games.