In football, the midfield is a critical part of any winning team. The midfielder is at the heart of gameplay, providing fluid transitions from the defense to the attack.

The midfielder’s importance to a team can’t be understated; hence top bookmakers commonly provide special betting markets for them. For example, when Man City plays, Sportingbet, as extensively reviewed on Telecom Asia Sport, can provide enhanced odds for Kevin De Bruyne to score.

Indeed, Africa has produced some of the finest crop of midfielders global football has seen. This article celebrates some of the best African midfield maestros.

1. Abedi Pele (Ghana)

Now, if you’re a big football fan like me, then you know that Abedi Pele was an absolute legend on the field. He played for several top teams in Europe, including Marseille and Torino, and he even led his national team, Ghana, to win the African Cup of Nations not once but thrice!

Abedi Pele possessed an exceptional ball-handling ability. He could dribble incredibly quickly and go between opponents like they were still. And when it came to scoring goals, he had a fine eye for the back of the net and could do it with both strong shots and deft touches.

And his accomplishments? Let’s just say the Ghanaian legend has a trophy room the size of a mansion.

He won the African Cup of Nations three times with Ghana, and he was even named the African Footballer of the Year three times in a row!

2. Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria)

Okocha was a king of mouthwatering dribbles and inventive skills to begin with. He could dribble past opponents with ease and possessed unrivaled ball control.

He performed complex tricks with the ball like a magician, confusing his rivals in the process.

As for his individual honors, well, let’s just say he’s got a few. Okocha was a two-time African Footballer of the Year, and he won the Nigerian Player of the Year award seven times! And to top it all off, he was named one of the Top 125 greatest living footballers by FIFA in 2004.

But perhaps Okocha’s biggest accomplishment was leading the Nigerian national team to win the African Cup of Nations in 1994 and 2013. He was a true leader on the field, and his skill and charisma inspired his teammates to play their best.

3. Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

Why is Yaya Toure considered one of the best midfielders of all time? We would say this guy is an absolute powerhouse. He may not have got the flair of Okocha, but he was arguably more effective.

Yaya boasted incredible strength, stamina, and speed, which made him a real force to be reckoned with on the pitch. And let’s not forget about his incredible ball control and passing ability – this guy can thread the needle like nobody’s business!

So what has Yaya achieved in his career?

Well, for starters, he’s won the African Footballer of the Year award FOUR times. He’s also won multiple league titles with teams like Barcelona and Manchester City, as well as the Champions League with Barca.

But perhaps his most impressive feat was leading the Ivory Coast to their first-ever African Cup of Nations victory in 2015. Yaya was the captain of the team and scored two goals in the tournament, including the winner in the final.

4. Michael Essien (Ghana)

Michael Essien, aka “The Bison,” obviously stands as one of the greatest African midfielders of all time. This former superstar African midfielder was an absolute beast on the field, and he had a talent for fighting with all his heart for the ball.

Not only was Michael Essien a total powerhouse on the field with his strength, speed, and technical skill, but he was also wickedly smart.

He could read the game so intelligently and make game-changing decisions in the blink of an eye. Plus, he was a total leader on the field, inspiring his teammates to play their hearts out.

It’s difficult to keep track of all the awards and recognition this guy received over his career. He won the title of Ghanaian Footballer of the Year four times, and he significantly contributed to the success of the Ghana national team at the 2010 World Cup, helping them reach the quarterfinals. Oh, and did I also mention that he reached the UEFA Champions League finals while playing for Chelsea and won two Premier League championships with them?