Manchester City became a powerhouse in football almost overnight after they were taken over by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan's Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG) in September, 2008. 15 years later, they have won seven Premier League titles, two FA Cups and six Carabao Cups. Not a bad return.
This season, they are on the verge of making history by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League trophies in the same season.
They have already been crowned Premier League Champions and the next thing on the agenda is the FA Cup final which happens on Saturday evening against bitter rivals, Manchester United. The Red Devils will look to end City’s treble campaign and remain the only English team to achieve this feat.
With Manchester City on the verge of making history, we thought it would be a good time to look at some of the greatest African players to have played for the club.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Nigeria
We kick off this list with the Super Eagles international forward. The striker was signed by Manchester City as a teenage prodigy after his exploits at the Under 17 FIFA World Cup in 2013.
Iheanacho went on to make 64 appearances and score 21 goals in his three years at the club including a goal in the Manchester Derby. He was deemed to be surplus to requirements under Pep Guardiola and was sold to Leicester City in 2017. He won one Carabao Cup during his time at the Etihad.
Emmanuel Adebayor
Togo
In 2009, Emmanuel Adebayor transferred from Arsenal to Manchester City. The Togolese international was once the most expensive player in Africa after signing for a £25 million transfer fee.
Adebayor was a statement signing for the new Manchester City ownership. He had previously won the African Footballer of the Year award and Manchester City’s hierarchy saw his signing as a statement of their intent to be serious contenders in the country.
Despite a good start, Adebayor finally lost out to Carlos Teves and Edin Dzeko, two recently acquired players for City. He was loaned by the Citizens to Real Madrid and Tottenham before opting to join them permanently in 2012.
Adebayor scored 19 goals in 45 games during his time at the club. Adebayor also scored the club's first-ever hat-trick in European competition as well as that that memorable goal (and celebration) against his former club, Arsenal.
Kolo Toure
Côte d’Ivoire
Like Adebayor, Kolo Toure also switched the red of Arsenal for the blue of Manchester City. The Ivorian legend spent four seasons at the club and was the captain of the team at one point before his captaincy was taken off him and given to Carlos Tevez.
In his time with the Club, he won the FA Cup and the English Premier League.He scored three goals in 102 appearances for the Citizens.
Yaya Toure
Côte d’Ivoire
This list would not be complete without Kolo Toure's brother, the great Yaya Toure. The Ivorian is widely regarded as one of the greatest African players to play in the Premier League, some say he is one of the greatest African players to play in any league.
The Ivorian moved to City from Barcelona in 2010 and quickly became one of the best midfielders in the entire division. The Ivory Coast international was a crucial part of Manchester City’s ascension to the club they are now and is regarded as a City legend.
He made 316 appearances for the club, scoring 79 goals and winning eight titles in Manchester.
Riyad Mahrez
Algeria
We round up the list with a player who is still a member of the Manchester City squad. The Algerian forward has been a key player in Pep Guardiola’s plans during his five seasons at the Etihad.
Riyad Mahrez is the 3rd player with the most assists in the history of Manchester City pic.twitter.com/xGo0mD2nBD
— BH (@MCFC__BH) May 31, 2023
Mahrez is currently looking to help City win the FA Cup this weekend as well as their first ever UEFA Champions League title in the coming weeks. The 2016 African footballer of the year winner has scored 78 times in 236 appearances for City and has won five major honors for the club.
This article was most recently revised and updated 5 months ago
