The UEFA Champions League (UCL) is by far the most prestigious club competition across the world. By virtue of its popularity and reach.
Ghana has the highest number of winners (five) out of the 10 African countries who can boast of having at least a player to have clinched the coveted the prize.
Bruce Grobbelaar of Zimbabwe is the first ever from the continent to have tasted success in the competition with Liverpool FC in 1983-1984.
One of Africa’s All-time greats Abedi Ayew ‘Pele’ was instrumental for French giants Olympique Marseille when they won the 1992-93 edition of the competition.
He became the first ever Ghanaian and the third African to lift the trophy.
The last time Dortmund contested the final of the Champions League (1996-97), they won, and with a Ghanaian – ex-King Faisal player Ibrahim Tanko – in their ranks.
Ex Ghana defender Sammy Kuffour also followed in the footsteps of his compatriot by winning it in 2001 with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich after the disappointment of 1999.
Michael Essien famously helped Chelsea to their first ever UEFA’s elite club trophy in 2011-2012 seasons.
Sulley Ali Muntari was the last and fourth Ghanaian to write his name in Champions League folklore after starring in Inter Milan’s treble winning team of 2009-2010 season.
Cameroon Legend Samuel Eto’o remains the highest individual African winner with three medals.
Below is a list of winners (countries, clubs and season) in descending order:
1 – Bruce Grobbelaar (Zimbabwe) : Liverpool FC, 1983-1984
2 – Rabah Madjer (Algeria) : FC Porto, 1986-1987
3 – Abedi Pelé (Ghana) : Olympique de Marseille, 1992-1993
4 – Finidi George (Nigeria) : Ajax, 1994-1995
5 – Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria) : Ajax, 1994-1995
6 – Samuel Kuffour (Ghana) : FC Bayern Munich 2000-2001
7 – Benni McCarthy (South Africa) : FC Porto, 2003-2004
8 – Djimi Traoré (Mali) : Liverpool FC, 2004-2005
9 – Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) – FC Barcelona, 2005-2006, 2008-2009, Inter Milan, 2009-2010
10 – Yaya Touré (Côte d’Ivoire) : FC Barcelona, 2008-2009
11 – Seydou Keita (Mali) : FC Barcelona, 2008-2009, 2010-2011
12 – Sulley Muntari (Ghana) : Inter Milan, 2009-2010
13 – McDonald Mariga (Kenya) : Inter Milan 2009 – 2010
14 – John Obi Mikel (Nigeria) : Chelsea FC, 2011-2012
15 – Michael Essien (Ghana) : Chelsea FC, 2011-2012
16 – Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast) : Chelsea FC, 2011-2012
17 – Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) : Chelsea FC, 2011-2012
18 – Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) : Real Madrid FC, 2017-2018
