From Okocha to Salah, who are the Greatest Number 10s in AFCON history?

The Africa Cup of Nations has produced extraordinary footballers who shaped generations and defined African football’s global influence.

Among them, the wearers of the Number 10 shirt have often carried the weight of creativity, responsibility, and national hope.

Their performances did not merely elevate their teams; they altered the trajectory of entire tournaments. From mercurial playmakers to goal-scoring leaders, these are the greatest Number 10s in AFCON history.

Few players in AFCON history combined showmanship, intelligence, and match-winning ability quite like Augustine “Jay-Jay” Okocha. Wearing the Number 10 for Nigeria, he delivered performances that consistently lifted the Super Eagles through difficult moments.

At the 2000 AFCON on home soil, Okocha’s influence extended well beyond creative passes; he controlled matches through tempo, close control, and brave decisions in tight spaces.

His long-range goal against Cameroon in the final remains one of the competition’s most replayed strikes, and even though Nigeria lost that final, Okocha’s role throughout the tournament earned him the Best Player award.

He returned in 2002 and 2004 with the same authority, leading a young Nigerian squad to the semifinals and finishing as the tournament’s joint top scorer.

Okocha’s greatness came from his ability to impose technical superiority at any moment, particularly when Nigeria faced physical or tactical challenges.

Abedi Pele remains one of the most complete Number 10s ever to grace the tournament. His best AFCON display came in 1992, when he guided Ghana to the final and dominated games with authority from midfield.

He carried an inexperienced Black Stars squad by creating chances, dictating rhythm, and relentlessly driving his team forward.

His semifinal performance against Nigeria is still regarded as one of the most tactically disciplined outings by an African playmaker, combining work rate with incisive passing in a way few had achieved previously.

Although he missed the final due to suspension, his influence across the competition earned him the Best Player award, a testament to how essential he was to Ghana’s progress.

More importantly, Abedi Pele redefined what the Number 10 role meant in African football by proving that creativity and industry could coexist in one player. His AFCON legacy remains a benchmark for attacking midfielders across the continent.

Patrick Mboma wore the Number 10 during a period when Cameroon dominated African football, and his contributions were decisive in the Indomitable Lions’ golden era.

At the 2000 AFCON, Mboma provided goals, strength, and a relentless forward presence that defenders consistently struggled to contain. His ability to combine physical superiority with refined finishing made him the focal point of Cameroon’s attack.

Mboma scored crucial knockout goals and set the tone for Cameroon’s title-winning run with his aggressive movement off the ball.

He repeated this influence in 2002, again helping Cameroon to victory by delivering goals at essential moments and linking fluidly with Samuel Eto’o.

Mboma’s significance in AFCON history is tied to his reliability on the biggest stages. When Cameroon required a forward who could shoulder responsibility and deliver under pressure, Mboma consistently responded.

Mohamed Salah’s AFCON contributions reflect more than his reputation as one of Africa’s finest modern forwards.

His leadership at the 2017 tournament helped guide Egypt back to continental prominence after years of absence.

Salah was central to their run to the final, supplying goals, assists, and a level of discipline that allowed Egypt to play compact, structured football.

In 2021, Salah carried Egypt through several difficult knockout matches, scoring vital goals and assisting in pressure situations. His composure helped Egypt defeat teams with stronger midfield control, proving his value even when isolated by defensive systems.

Although he has not yet lifted the AFCON trophy, Salah’s consistency, influence on the team, and ability to carry the expectations of a football-obsessed nation place him firmly among the tournament’s greatest Number 10s.

Lakhdar Belloumi, the man who apparently invented the no-look pass, defined Algeria’s attacking identity during the 1980s and remains one of the nation’s most celebrated creative players.

His performance at the 1980 AFCON, where Algeria reached the final, showcased his exceptional passing range and ability to destabilise defensive lines with quick combinations.

Belloumi played with confidence and clarity, often dictating Algeria’s attacking transitions with accurate forward balls and clever positional play.

Even when unavailable during the 1986 AFCON, his influence lingered, and Algeria relied heavily on systems he helped refine. Belloumi’s wider legacy at AFCON stems from his ability to make complex football appear effortless.

He brought intelligence and unpredictability, giving Algeria a creative identity that shaped the nation’s football philosophy for generations.

Sadio Mané became the heart of Senegal’s modern rise, leading the Teranga Lions to their first-ever AFCON title in 2022.

Wearing the Number 10, he delivered a complete tournament: scoring, creating, and mentoring younger teammates with maturity that elevated the entire squad. His goal against Cape Verde and his decisive role in the final against Egypt demonstrated his ability to thrive under immense pressure.

Mané contributed far more than goals; he provided consistent link-up play, tactical discipline, and relentless vertical runs that stretched defences.

Senegal’s success stemmed from his ability to shift seamlessly between winger, playmaker, and central forward depending on match situations. By driving Senegal to historic success, Mané secured his status as one of AFCON’s most influential modern Number 10s.

Gervinho’s AFCON contribution was built on directness, work rate, and decisive attacking transitions.

During the 2012 and 2015 tournaments, he played a central role in Côte d’Ivoire’s attacking structure, often wearing the Number 10 and using his speed and intelligent movement to destabilise defenders. His solo goal against Mali in 2012 remains one of the competition’s most iconic moments.

In 2015, Gervinho delivered mature performances that balanced flair with tactical discipline. His runs created consistent openings for the Ivorian midfield, while his decision-making improved noticeably, helping his team maintain attacking width and depth.

Côte d’Ivoire’s eventual title win in 2015 reflected years of collective effort, but Gervinho’s influence in bringing unpredictability and creativity to the team’s forward play cemented his place among Africa’s greats.

John Mikel Obi’s AFCON career highlighted his ability to control matches from midfield with composure and authority.

Wearing the Number 10 later in his international career, he became Nigeria’s heartbeat during the 2013 AFCON triumph. Mikel dictated tempo with remarkable calmness, providing structure in midfield while selecting passes that allowed Nigeria to bypass pressure and progress efficiently into attack.

His semifinal performance against Mali displayed maturity and precision, combining ball retention with forward penetration. Beyond his technical qualities, Mikel’s leadership stabilised Nigeria during a period of transition.

His influence extended to defensive phases, where he consistently halted opposition counterattacks through anticipation rather than aggression. Winning the tournament validated his years of service to the national team.

André Ayew has been a central figure in Ghana’s AFCON campaigns for more than a decade, contributing goals, drive, and unwavering determination.

Frequently wearing the Number 10, just like his father, he emerged as Ghana’s leading force at the 2015 AFCON, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer and leading the Black Stars to the final.

His ability to carry the ball through pressure and arrive at key moments inside the penalty area made him Ghana’s most reliable attacking threat.

Across multiple tournaments, Ayew provided a blend of leadership and physical courage, often performing in difficult conditions or while carrying injuries.

His longevity at AFCON, combined with his influence in several semifinal and final runs, demonstrates consistency that few modern African players have matched.

Although Rabah Madjer is more widely associated with the Number 11 shirt, he wore the Number 10 at the 1986 AFCON when Algeria needed creative stability in Belloumi’s absence.

Madjer stepped into the role with confidence, becoming Algeria’s primary attacking outlet. His technique allowed him to navigate tight spaces, and his link-up play helped Algeria maintain competitive balance in a challenging tournament.

Madjer’s is remembered more for his performances in the other jersey number, but the opportunity to sneak the first African player to lift the UEFA Champions League into the list was too good to pass up.

His ability to score and create opportunities were key parts of Madjer’s game, and his reputation as a leader capable of performing to the highlest levels left a significant mark on Algeria’s AFCON identity and completed his status as one of North Africa’s most influential footballers.