All-time Africa Cup of Nations champion XI

With the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations soon to be upon us, LiveScore have run the rule over the continent's best players.

We have picked our all-time AFCON XI to get fans ready for the January spectacle.

You need to have a winners' medal to make the cut, which rules out legends like George Weah, Didier Drogba and Mohamed Salah. 

Check out our team below. 

Goalkeeper: Essam El-Hadary (Egypt)

No player has won more AFCON titles than Essam El-Hadary, who was part of Egypt's winning team in 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010. 

The Al Ahly legend was also named as the tournament's best keeper four times, most recently in 2017. 

Right-back: Lauren (Cameroon)

A member of Arsenal's Invincibles, Lauren fills the right-back spot. 

Despite retiring from international duty aged just 25, he managed to be part of the sides that won the tournament in 2000 and 2002. 

Left-back: Pierre Wome (Cameroon)

The left-back in those Cameroonian triumphs was Pierre Wome and the two-time winner gets the nod in that position. 

There have been brilliant African players in that role such as Arthur Boka but none that have won the coveted title. 

Centre-back: Rigobert Song (Cameroon)

Rigobert Song completes a trio of Cameroonian talent within our back four. 

The current Cameroon manager was part of the same side as Lauren and Wome and also finished a runner-up in 2008. 

Centre-back: Wael Gomaa (Egypt)

Wael Gomaa was the defensive rock behind Egypt's three consecutive Africa Cup of Nations triumphs, in 2006, 2008 and 2010. 

The 6ft centre-back won 114 caps for his country. 

Midfield: Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

Yaya Toure twice had the heartbreak of losing in the AFCON final with Ivory Coast in 2006 and 2012. 

The then Manchester City midfielder finally claimed a winners' medal when he captained his country to their 2015 triumph. 

Midfield: Abedi Pele (Ghana)

Abedi Pele would taste AFCON glory early in his career when he was part of the Ghana side that won in 1982. 

Having become a key figure in the star-studded early-90s Marseille team, Pele was named Player of the Tournament in 1992 after he led the Black Stars to another final. 

Midfield: Jay-Jay Okocha (Nigeria)

Jay-Jay Okocha was part of the Nigerian team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and 1996 Olympics. 

Okocha never won AFCON again but came close, losing in the 2000 final and finishing third in 2002, 2004 and 2006. 

Right wing: Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)

Samuel Eto'o's versatility allows us to slot him in on the right. The Cameroonian is the all-time AFCON top scorer with 18 goals across six tournaments. 

These included the 2000 and 2002 editions when he was part of the victorious Indomitable Lions side. 

Left wing: Sadio Mane (Senegal)

Sadio Mane took his brilliant form for Liverpool to the international stage with Senegal. 

They were beaten finalists in 2019 and in 2021 the winger was named as the player of the tournament when Senegal beat his club team-mate Salah's Egypt in the final. 

Striker: Roger Milla (Cameroon)

Best known for his exploits at the 1990 World Cup, Roger Milla was a two-time AFCON winner. 

The striker helped Cameroon win their first title in 1984 and was player of the tournament in 1988 when they won it again.