Iconic Football Stars Who Missed Out on Afcon Glory

In the world of football, success is often measured by the number of trophies lifted. However, for some of Africa's greatest players, the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title has remained elusive. As the 2025 Afcon finals approach in Morocco, BBC Sport Africa highlights five legendary players who have yet to claim the continent's premier prize.

**Mohamed Salah (Egypt)**

At 33, Mohamed Salah is mounting his fifth attempt to win the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt. The Pharaohs, with seven titles, are the most successful team in the tournament's history. However, their last victory came in 2010, with Salah's international career spanning from 2011 to the present.

Salah's Afcon journey has been marked by near misses. He finished as a runner-up in 2017 and 2021, the latter seeing him lose to his then Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane in a penalty shootout. Injuries have also plagued his campaigns, with a group stage setback in 2023 ending Egypt's run prematurely.

**Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)**

Didier Drogba is renowned for his big-game performances at Chelsea, but his Afcon record is less impressive. The striker twice captained Ivory Coast to the finals, only to be thwarted by penalties. In 2006, he missed his spot-kick in a shootout against Egypt, and in 2012, he skyed a penalty in regulation time against Zambia, ultimately losing in the shootout. Drogba's other campaigns saw mixed results, with a fourth-place finish in 2008 and quarter-final exits in 2010 and 2013. He retired from international football in 2014, six months before Ivory Coast won the 2015 Afcon on penalties.

**George Weah (Liberia)**

George Weah's individual accolades are unparalleled among African footballers. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1995 and was named African Player of the Year twice. However, his impact on the international stage with Liberia was limited. The West Africans made only two Afcon appearances with Weah in the squad, exiting at the group stage both times. Despite his stellar club career, the Afcon title evaded him.

**Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)**

Nwankwo Kanu's club career was decorated with trophies, including the Champions League and Uefa Cup. With Nigeria, he won the Under-17 World Cup in 1993 and an Olympic gold medal in 1996. However, the Afcon trophy remained out of reach. Kanu's closest brush with victory came in 2000 when Nigeria lost the final to Cameroon on penalties. He retired from international football with an Olympic gold but only silver and bronze from the Cup of Nations.

**Michael Essien (Ghana)**

Michael Essien captained Ghana in their 2008 Afcon campaign on home soil, exiting in the semi-finals. Ghana's last Afcon triumph came in 1982, and despite Essien's leadership and talent, the title remained elusive. His international career spanned several Afcon tournaments, but a championship victory was not among his achievements.

As the 2025 Afcon finals commence, fans will be hoping that these legends, or new stars, can finally lift the coveted trophy and etch their names in African football history.