Six African league winners you’ve completely forgotten about

These players all won major honours in Europe’s big five leagues.

Quinton Fortune

A solid and versatile option for Manchester United during his seven years at Old Trafford, Fortune moved to England following a spell at Atletico Madrid, where he failed to establish himself at the Spanish giants.

He was a useful backup for Sir Alex Ferguson, although despite being a part of three title-winning sides, he would only pick up one winner’s medal—in 2003—as he failed to make sufficient appearances in 2000 or 2001.

Still well remembered by Red Devils fans, Fortune’s career petered out after leaving United, and he retired in 2010 after a brief spell with Doncaster Rovers.

Daniel Amartey

Arriving at Leicester City midway through their miraculous title-winning season, Amartey made five league appearances during the run-in—which was enough to secure him a Premier League winner’s medal!

In the 2016-17 season, following the departure of N’Golo Kante, he truly had the opportunity to repay his £6 million transfer fee, although in truth, it would have been hard for any player to step into the Frenchman’s shoes, and the Foxes struggled.

Since then, Amartey has struggled with injury, and missed seven months of the 2018-19 season after breaking his ankle in October 2018.

Obafemi Martins

Martins actually won his biggest honour near the start of his career, as he was a member of the Internazionale side that clinched the 2005-06 Serie A title.

The Nigeria striker made 28 league appearances and scored nine goals during that run to the Italian championship, while also playing a part in Inter’s Italian Cup success as well.

He’s never played at such a high level again, despite picking up subsequent silverware in England, Russia, the United States and China.

Nourredine Naybet

One of the finest defenders ever to emerge in Africa, Naybet’s composure, leadership and defensive qualities earned him 115 Morocco caps, and he also represented the Atlas Lions at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.

His long service at Deportivo La Coruna also earned him an unlikely La Liga winner’s medal in 1999-2000 as the Galicians won the Spanish title for the first time in his history.

Despite reported interest from Manchester United, he eventually moved to England in 2004 to sign for Tottenham Hotspur, playing one full campaign with the London giants before hanging up his boots.

Arthur Boka

Part of the Ivory Coast’s Golden Generation, Boka represented the Elephants in eight tournaments—five Afcons and three World Cups—but never got his hands on the Nations Cup.

At club level, however, a solid but unspectacular career reached an unlikely climax at VfB Stuttgart, where he was a Bundesliga winner in 2007.

Nicknamed ‘The African Roberto Carlos’, Boka’s forays forward were a key element of that magnificent Stuttgart campaign, although they failed to demonstrate their quality in the Champions League and were eliminated in the group stage.

Gervinho

Another player who enjoyed his finest hour early in his career, Gervinho was part of an excellent LOSC Lille side in the 2010-11 season as they won a league and cup double under Rudi Garcia.

Alongside the likes of Idrissa Gueye, Eden Hazard, Rio Mavuba and Yohan Cabaye, Gervinho was a key figure in that unlikely title triumph, ending the campaign with 15 goals and a further nine assists.

He’s yet to recreate those numbers, even though he did enjoy a renaissance at AS Roma after losing his way at Arsenal.