From controversial antics to fierce rivalries, we explore 10 of the most hated African players who fans loved to jeer. Who made the list?

In the beautiful game of football, we have heroes and we have villains. For every player adored by the home crowd, there’s another who gets booed the moment he steps off the team bus.

African football has produced some of the most gifted and beloved players to ever grace the pitch, but it has also given us characters who, for one reason or another, became pantomime villains.

These are the players whose names were chanted for all the wrong reasons. Whether it was due to their aggressive style, controversial transfers, or off-pitch drama, they earned a reputation that made them some of the most hated African players in the eyes of rival supporters.

Let’s take a journey down memory lane and look at 10 footballers who fit this bill.

Most Hated African Players (RANKED)

10. Amr Zaki (Egypt)

Amr Zaki arrived at Wigan Athletic on loan and took the Premier League by storm, scoring 10 goals before Christmas

He was hailed as the next big thing. Then, it all fell apart. He repeatedly returned late from international duty, Steve Bruce, among other Manchester United legends who failed as managers, labelled him the most unprofessional player he had ever worked with.

This disappearing act and lack of respect for his club destroyed his reputation in England.

His unprofessionalism solidified his status among the most hated African players for fans who felt betrayed by his attitude.

9. Benjani Mwaruwari (Zimbabwe)

According to the Guardian, Benjani’s inclusion is less about malice and more about pure footballing frustration, especially for Manchester City fans.

Signed on deadline day in 2008, he famously admitted he “didn’t want to come” as he was happy at Portsmouth.

He then proceeded to miss his flight to Manchester twice. Though he scored the winner in a Manchester derby, his overall goal-scoring record was poor.

His apparent lack of ambition and underwhelming performances made him one of the most hated African players for a fanbase expecting a star striker.

8. Joseph Yobo (Nigeria)

A Super Eagles legend and a centurion, how can Joseph Yobo be on this list? Well, for fans of Everton’s rivals, and even some Evertonians towards the end of his career, Yobo’s form was a source of frustration.

He was a solid defender on his day, but costly errors began to creep into his game. Rival fans would target him as a weak link, and the groans from his own supporters became more frequent.

While not hated for his personality, his on-field struggles made him a target of jeers, a different kind of “hate” in the football world.

7. Asamoah Gyan (Ghana)

This one is painful, especially for Ghanaians. Asamoah Gyan went from national hero to villain in the blink of an eye during the 2010 World Cup.

His last-second penalty miss against Uruguay, after Luis Suarez’s infamous handball, broke the heart of a continent.

While “hate” is a strong word, the immense disappointment turned into frustration for many

Later, his disputes with the Ghana Football Association and his perceived focus on money over national duty soured his reputation for some, making him a complex and sometimes resented figure.

5. Emmanuel Eboue (Ivory Coast)

Emmanuel Eboue was more of a court jester than a true villain, but his on-field antics often frustrated everyone, including his own fans.

His tendency for dramatic dives and over-the-top reactions to tackles made him a target for ridicule. While often comical, this behaviour led many to view him as a cheat.

His theatrics were so pronounced that he became a poster boy for simulation, a reputation that makes him a candidate for any discussion about the most hated African players, particularly for his lack of seriousness in high-stakes moments.

4. Rigobert Song (Cameroon)

A warrior and a legend for the Indomitable Lions, but on the club scene, Rigobert Song was a hard man. His aggressive, no-nonsense defending often crossed the line.

During his time at Liverpool and West Ham, he was known for reckless tackles that infuriated opponents and their fans.

His disciplinary record wasn’t pretty, and this combative style made him a player opposition forwards dreaded and supporters loved to boo, easily placing him on a list of the most hated African players from a rival’s perspective.

3. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)

Hold on, a Chelsea legend on this list? Yes. While he is a god in the blue parts of London, Didier Drogba was a nightmare for opposition fans.

For years, he was accused of diving and going down too easily for a man of his size and strength.

Referees were often under pressure, and rival managers, including Rafa Benitez and Arsene Wenger, openly criticized his theatrics.

This reputation for simulation made him one of the most hated African players for anyone who wasn’t a Chelsea supporter, even though they secretly wished he was on their team.

2. Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo)

Remember that celebration? Of course, you do. Emmanuel Adebayor’s infamous sprint down the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of Arsenal fans after scoring for Manchester City is etched in Premier League folklore

That single act secured his place among the most hated African players for the Gooners. Already seen as a traitor for leaving Arsenal for a rival, that provocative celebration was the final nail in the coffin

His perceived laziness and controversial comments later in his career only added to the animosity.

1. El Hadji Diouf (Senegal)

When you talk about the most hated African players in Premier League history, El Hadji Diouf’s name is often the first on the list.

The two-time African Player of the Year was a phenomenal talent for Senegal, but his time in England with Liverpool, Bolton, and Blackburn was filled with controversy.

Diouf was notorious for spitting incidents involving both fans and fellow players, earning him a reputation as a disrespectful and classless figure.

Pulse Sport previously reported that the Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher famously said Diouf was the worst teammate he ever had. For many fans, especially on Merseyside, he remains a top villain.