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Victor Wanyama picks his best African footballer
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 10.02.26. | 07:53
For Wanyama, Eto'o’s accomplishments represent a level of sustained excellence that sets him apart among Africa’s elite
Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has named one of his greatest African footballers.
The gifted midfielder settled on Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o, all while reflecting on the icons who have shaped the continent’s modern game.
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Speaking on an episode of the Obi One podcast, Wanyama, who was asked to rank Africa’s finest players, pointed to a host of standout figures before making his choice.
He acknowledged Yaya Touré, Didier Drogba, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané.
However, he ultimately placed Eto’o above the rest, citing the striker’s achievements at both club and international level.
Eto’o enjoyed a decorated career in Europe, winning three UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona and Inter Milan and collecting domestic league honors in Spain and Italy.
On the international stage, he helped Cameroon lift two Africa Cup of Nations titles and claim Olympic gold, in addition to earning four African Player of the Year awards.
For Wanyama, those accomplishments send a statement on a level of sustained excellence that stands out among Africa’s elite.
The conversation also revealed a more personal note, as Wanyama admitted that recurring injuries could soon force him to retire from playing.
Such a move would mark the end of a career that has broken new ground for Kenyan football.
“Maybe soon I will stop playing because of the injury. Soon I will hang my boots,” he said.
Rising from Nairobi to the European stage, he became the first Kenyan to score in the UEFA Champions League and established himself at Celtic, Southampton, and Tottenham Hotspur, reaching the Champions League final with Spurs in 2019.
As captain, he also led Kenya back to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019.
Despite his own milestones, Wanyama remained humble when discussing achievements within his family.
He credited his older brother, McDonald Mariga, as the benchmark.
Mariga made history in 2010 by becoming the first Kenyan to win the UEFA Champions League as part of Inter Milan’s treble-winning side under José Mourinho, a feat Wanyama openly celebrates.
“On who is the greatest of the Wanyama brothers, my brother is better because he brought the Champions League home, and I did not,” he offered.