The Best African Goalkeepers in European Major Leagues

 

Several African goalkeepers have managed to thrive in European top leagues with either silverware or individual accolades plus sealing their first choice spot.

African goalkeepers have been able to gain more opportunities in European major leagues. Some have even been playing for the elite sides and won major trophies. However, not many of them were able to stay for long and have consistent form. 

This season, Manchester United shot stopper, Andre Onana, is undoubtedly one of the best African goalkeepers in UEFA’s major leagues. The Red Devils are his third big club in his career. Previously, he was the key man in Ajax Amsterdam and Inter Milan. 

Unfortunately, his stint to Old Trafford has been more notorious for his number of crucial errors. Onana’s future as the number one between the sticks is once again under threat following the series of his below par form leading to his team's defeats. Manchester United has been reportedly eyeing for a new goalie for next summer. Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens has been monitored by United management to sign but they would have to race against Borussia Dortmund which is also keen on signing the 22-year-old shot stopper. 

Onana would need to prove his quality in the second half of the season to salvage his position and future. The product of Barcelona academy faced the same situation last season and managed to turn things around. The Cameroon international helped United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final with his strings of saves.

Before Onana, several African goalkeepers also managed to steal the spotlight in the top level. One of them even became the first choice in the top team for quite a number of years. Here are those distinguished figures between the sticks and their best stints in the club.

Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)

The Senegalese international goalie is the first African who won the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award back in 2021. He was in his peak form when he helped Chelsea clinch their second UCL title by beating Manchester City in the final. He managed to keep nine clean sheets in 12 games of UEFA’s top flight competition. Mendy also contributed heavily in delivering UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Nevertheless, the former Rennes and Reims shot stopper did not win a single domestic title with The Blues. They lost in FA Cup final 2021 to Leicester City and failed to stop Manchester City dominance in the Premier League.

His spell in Chelsea was cut short in 2023. Mendy only became the first choice in his first two seasons while his last campaign in England, and Europe, the 2022/23 season, was marred by injuries and struggled for physical fitness. Consequently, he was frequently sidelined with only playing 12 matches in all competition and sold to Saudi Pro League side, Al Ahli.

At the international stage, Mendy has capped 42 times and made appearance in 2022 FIFA World Cup. He contributed in Senegal’s success to reach the round of 16 before England crushed them 3-0. The 32-year old shot stopper also brought his country to lift their first ever AFCON trophy in 2021.

Thomas N’Kono (Espanyol)

He was probably one of the first African goalkeepers making appearance at the top level competition in Europe. N’Kono was the integral part of Espanyol in 1980s. He joined the Catalan side in 1982 following his top form in 1982 FIFA World Cup with Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions were unbeaten in the group stage as they drew level against Poland, Italy and Peru. His form was not gone unnoticed although his team failed to progress.

NKono was the first choice until 1989. The former Bolivar man also brought his team to UEFA Cup final in 1988 before their defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on penalties. He saved the first penalty from Ralf Falkenmeyer in the shootout but was unable to repeat it in the remaining shots.

At the international stage, NKono earned 63 caps and appeared in Italy 1990 FIFA World Cup, where Cameroon progressed to the quarterfinal. He was named in the squad for USA 1994 but only as a second fiddle.

Joseph-Antoine Bell (Marseille & Bordeaux)

He was Thomas N’Kono’s understudy in 1982 and 1990 FIFA World Cup before eventually making his world cup debut in USA 1994. Sadly, Cameroon was at their lowest ebb and his disappointing form led his team to suffer 3-0 defeat against the eventual Champion, Brazil after holding a 2-2 draw at the opener versus Sweden. However, Bell was the key figure when Cameroon won 1984 and 1988 AFCON.

At the club level, Bell spent most of his career in France with Olympique Marseille, Bordeaux and St.Etienne. The goalie with 50 international caps was the first choice in OM from 1985 to 1988. However, he failed to lift the trophy there after losing in French Cup final twice consecutively in 1987 and 1988. Bell also could not help them go through the final in Winners Cup 1988 following their defeat from Ajax Amsterdam in the semifinal. During his stint in Stade Velodrome, their best finish was the runner up in Ligue 1 1987.

When OM enjoyed their trophy-laden years, he already switched sides to Bordeaux. Once again, their best campaign was only finishing second in Ligue 1 1990. In the following season, he left to sign for St.Etienne as his former side struggled with financial difficulties and eventually relegated.

Jacques Songo’o (Deportivo La Coruna)

He was Joseph Bell’s understudy in 1994 FIFA World Cup. His debut in the world stage was in fact rather humiliating as he was conceded six times in the final fixture versus Russia. Cameroon were hapless and dismantled by Oleg Salenko and Co 6-1.

However, Bell then bounced back and played a crucial role in helping Metz win Coupe de La Ligue 1996 by beating Lyon in the summit on penalties, and finishing fourth in the 1995/96 season. Songo’o’s top form attracted the La Liga dark horse, Deportivo La Coruna. He was the key man in Riazor from 1996 to 2000, when they won their first ever league title. The shot stopper with 98 international caps was even awarded Ricardo Zamora trophy for the best La Liga goalie in 1997.

Unfortunately, he lost his place to Francesco Molina in the 2000/01 campaign and barely played in the UCL. The Cameroon’s first goalkeeper in 1998 FIFA World Cup then moved back to Metz and stayed for two seasons before retiring at the age of 40 with La Coruna in 2004.

Yassine Bounou (Sevilla)

He is undoubtedly the best African goalkeeper today, despite the fact that he no longer plied his tried in Europe. The current Al Hilal man is part of Morocco’s golden generation when they reached semifinal in 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Bounou’s most memorable spell was certainly in Sevilla. He was part of the Andalusian side from 2019 to 2023. The former Girona goalie was instrumental in their glorious Europa League campaign 2020 and 2023 as they thumped Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma respectively. Yet, the 33-year old shot stopper was only undisputed first choice in 2021 and 2022 but had to share the task in 2020 and 2023. Surprisingly, he opted to move away from Europe afterwards despite the offers from big clubs, including Inter Milan, PSG and Bayern Munich.

The Montreal-born shot stopper also won a number of personal accolades. The most notable ones were Ricardo Zamora trophy in 2022, African Best Goalkeeper in 2023 and Saudi Pro League Best Goalkeeper in 2024.

Bruce Grobbelaar (Liverpool)

He is undoubtedly the greatest African goalkeeper to date. Grobbelaar was not only part of The Reds squad in 1980s to early 1990s but also the key man between the sticks. The former Zimbabwe international owed his move to Anfield from his former boss in Vancouver Whitecaps, Tony Waiters. Grobelaar signed for Liverpool in 1981, initially as the backup for Ray Clemence.

He began to get a nod as the first choice and then cemented his place in the new season 1981/82, when Clemence departed. Grobelaar went on being the number one until 1993/94 and enjoyed trophy-laden years with The Reds. He won six league titles, three FA Cups and European Cup 1984, in which he made his iconic move on penalties to distract AS Roma’s executors and clinched the Big Ear trophy.

Nevertheless, he was never able to help his nation to qualify to FIFA World Cup. Grobbelaar played only 33 games for Zimbabwe during his career. None of them was in major tournaments, including AFCON.