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A look into the past helps us to realize how far we have gone. If we recall our football memories, we will definitely remember the heroics of some of the guys who helped in pioneering the display of African talents to the world's consciousness.
Players who, in between the goal posts, made their impact felt all around the globe. Amazing shot stoppers that shocked the world with their brilliant displays during the World Cups, African Nations Cups, the Olympics and with their various clubs across Europe.
Today, we are taking a look at five of the greatest goalkeepers that have emerged from the African soil in football history.
The list is based on their performances, achievements and magic moments with both their National teams and their various football clubs. Check them below:
#5 Vincent Enyeama
When Nigeria played Argentina in the group stage of the 2014 world cup, one of the first things Argentina superstar Lionel Messi did was to shake hands with Nigerian goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama with an ironic smile on his face.
The Barca Superstar remembered all too well his old adversary during the World Cup in South Africa, where Enyeama saved plenty shots of the then world player of the year.
Well known for his incredible agility and reflexes, the Nigerian goalkeeper was instrumental in aiding his country to get through a tough group in the 2014 world cup.
He won the African Nations Cup in 2013 and has made name for himself in Europe with spectacular displays at French club Lille as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
During his time with Enyimba International F.C., he won the CAF Champions League on two occasions.
He signed for Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2007 and won the 'Player of the year' award in 2009. The next season, he won the league and cup double with the Israeli club.
Enyeama also won the championship with Maccabi Tel Aviv alongside other achievements in his great career.
#4 Carlos Kameni
Idriss Carlos Kameni is a Cameroonian professional goalkeeper who plays for Spanish club Málaga.
He spent most of his career in Spain, majorly with Espanyol, where he appeared in 229 official matches for the club in eight La Liga seasons.
After making his debut on the international stage before the age of 20, he has represented his country in two World Cups and five Africa Cup of Nations competitions.
Carlos Kameni was part of the Cameroonian national team squads in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, starting in all the tournaments but the first.
Moreover, he also represented the national side at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, also as the first-choice for the subsequent runners-up.
In 2002, when he was aged 18, Kameni was selected for Cameroon’s squad of 23 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
He was awarded Best African Goalkeeper for 2006–07, after finishing as runner-up in the previous season.
However, his career came to its highlight after he joined Malaga in 2012.
He broke many records and he became the first Malaga goalkeeper to provide an assist in the Spanish top division, as Charles scored the second of his three goals in a 3–1 home victory against Real Sociedad.
He also broke countryman, Thomas N'Kono's record of 497 minutes without conceding a goal.
#3 Joseph Antoine Belle
Joseph Antoine Belle is from a long tradition of amazing Cameroonian goalkeepers and had a 20-year career that included three World Cup squad selections, two African Cup of Nations trophies and a huge success at some of the elite French clubs, including Olympic Marseille, Bordeaux, and Saint Etienne.
He was one of the first few African goalkeepers to play in Europe, and he is well known as much for his fine goalkeeping and for his candid criticism of the African Football Federation, which got him banned from World Cup Italia in 1990.
During the 1980′s in France, he continuously had Bananas thrown at him, and was one of the first set of black players to fight racism, forcing the French FA to deal with racist fans.
He represented Olympique Marseille from 1985 to 1988, playing 36, 38, and 35 league matches in each of his three campaigns there.
He then spent a season at Sporting Toulon Var, playing 31 games. Two years at FC Girondins de Bordeaux followed, where he played 38 games in 1989–90 and 37 matches in 1990–91.
He ended his playing career with AS Saint-Étienne, where he played 35 games in 1991–92 and 38 games in 1992–93, but just 26 matches in 1993–94.
2. Jacques Songo’o
Cameroonian legend, Jacques Songo’o often lived in the shadow of teammates, Belle and Thomas Nkono at the international level, but he was highly instrumental in aiding Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna in their astonishing La Liga win in the 1996/1997 season, the first time in the club’s history.
He was a solid shot-stopper, and one of those who made very few mistakes, Songo’o was the unrivaled No.1 for the Spanish side for four years, and he won the coveted Ricardo Zamora trophy, an award for the best goalkeeper in the Spanish league.
He remains one of the greatest goalkeepers of the continent.
#1 Thomas Nkono
Here it is, it is The Indomitable Lions on top of the tree. Thomas Nkono was publicised in a Trans World Sport, Special about the African Goalkeepers, and it was clear that he was the reason behind the great legacy of Cameroonian goalkeepers.
Italian shot-stopper, Gianluigi Buffon, arguably the best keeper of the 21st century so far, decided to become a goalkeeper after he watched Nkono’s heroics during the Italia '90 World Cup, where Nkono, alongside teammates Roger Milla and Cyrille Makanaky, was one of the event's best players.
Nkono was an represented for his country for almost 20 years but built up his status as one of the world’s best goalkeepers in a decade with Spanish side Espanyol.
Despite all the odd controversies over the years, Africans are quite truly proud of a player who aided in taking African football into world consciousness.
