BBC Sport Africa highlights iconic stars missing from the AFCON honours list.

Didier Drogba and Mohamed Salah

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) remains the continent’s biggest football stage, producing unforgettable champions and legendary moments. Yet, some of Africa’s greatest players never lifted the iconic trophy. As excitement builds ahead of the 2025 AFCON in Morocco (21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026), BBC Sport Africa reflects on five superstars who fell short of AFCON glory.

Africa’s football giants have dominated the competition’s history:

  • Egypt (7 titles)
  • Cameroon (5 titles)
  • Ghana (4 titles)
  • Nigeria (3 titles)

But even among these powerhouses, greatness did not always guarantee a winner’s medal.

1. Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

At 33, Egypt’s captain is running out of time. Despite reaching finals in 2017 and 2021, Salah has twice watched the trophy slip away — once in normal time, once on penalties.

Injured during AFCON 2023, Salah saw Egypt exit in the last 16. With the Pharaohs last winning in 2010, AFCON 2025 may be his final chance to complete his legacy.
Highlight: Two AFCON finals, zero trophies.

2. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)

A giant for Chelsea, Drogba was less fortunate with his national team.

He reached two finals — 2006 and 2012 — and heartbreakingly missed decisive penalties in both. Ivory Coast finally won in 2015, after Drogba retired.
Highlight: Two finals, two penalty heartbreaks.

3. George Weah (Liberia)

Africa’s only Ballon d’Or winner achieved it all in Europe, but Liberia’s limited AFCON success meant he never came close to the trophy.

They qualified only twice — 1996 and 2002 — failing to reach knockout stages.
Highlight: Football icon, no AFCON knockout match.

4. Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)

Kanu shone for Ajax, Arsenal and at the Olympics, but AFCON glory eluded him.

His closest chance came in 2000, losing the final to Cameroon via penalties. Multiple semi-final runs followed, but no trophy.
Highlight: Olympic gold, but AFCON silver and bronze only.

5. Michael Essien (Ghana)

A powerhouse midfielder for Chelsea and Ghana, injuries denied Essien’s golden chance. He missed key AFCON tournaments and sat out the 2010 final run.

Ghana’s last AFCON win remains 1982, long before his peak.
Highlight: Injuries blocked his AFCON destiny.