Top Five African Footballers with Most Premier League Appearances

The English Premier League (EPL) is widely regarded as one of the most competitive and challenging football leagues in the world. Many players and managers who have excelled elsewhere have struggled to adapt to the intensity and pace of English football.

One of the most iconic figures in the league’s history is Sir Alex Ferguson. Widely considered one of the greatest managers of all time, Ferguson transformed Manchester United into a dominant force in English and European football. Under his leadership, the Red Devils rose to global prominence and became one of the most successful clubs in Premier League history—rivaled only by historic giants like Liverpool.

Over the years, the Premier League has seen an influx of talented African players. While many have come and gone, only a select few have managed to leave a lasting legacy. Some played pivotal roles in helping their teams win major trophies, while others earned individual accolades for their outstanding performances. While opinions may vary, their contributions are etched into the history books, standing as undeniable proof of their impact on the English game.

Top five African footballers with most Premier League appearances

5. Shola Ameobi (298 PL matches)

Hailing from Nigeria, Shola Ameobi is best known for his memorable performances during his long-standing career at Newcastle United. A loyal servant to the Magpies, Ameobi spent the majority of his playing days at the club, becoming a fan favorite for his passion and commitment. The Nigerian striker made 298 appearances in the Premier League for Newcastle, finding the back of the net 43 times.

4. Mohamed Salah (301 matches)

Once overlooked during his time at Chelsea, Mohamed Salah has transformed into a Liverpool legend. The Egyptian winger has played 301 Premier League matches for the Reds, scoring an incredible 186 goals. In the 2024–25 season, Salah was at his brilliant best—winning both the Premier League Golden Boot and the Playmaker award for finishing with the most goals and assists. His impact on the team has been nothing short of extraordinary.

3. Wilfried Zaha (305 matches)

Wilfried Zaha spent the majority of his Premier League career with Crystal Palace, where he became a club legend. Although the Ivorian winger had a brief spell at Manchester United, making only a couple of appearances, it was with the Eagles that he truly made his mark.

Zaha played a total of 305 Premier League matches and scored 68 goals—most of them in a Palace shirt. While he later moved on to play in other leagues, Crystal Palace remained the heart of his football journey.

2. Jordan Ayew (305 matches)

Jordan Ayew, a forward for the Ghana national team, is one of the African players with the most appearances in Premier League history. He currently plays for Leicester City but made the majority of his Premier League appearances with Crystal Palace. Before that, he was part of Swansea City from 2017 to 2019 and also had a spell with Aston Villa.

In total, Ayew has played 305 Premier League matches and scored 42 goals.

1. Kolo Toure (353 matches)

Kolo Toure, the Ivory Coast centre-back, holds the record for the most Premier League appearances by an African player. During his time in England, he played for top clubs like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool, with the majority of his matches coming while wearing the Arsenal shirt.

Meanwhile, he also appeared in a decent number of matches for both Man City and the Reds.

Cover Credits - BBC