356 articles
Victor Ikpeba
Victor Ikpeba (Victor Nosa Ikpeba), Nigerian forward born 1973 in Benin City; Olympic gold 1996 with Nigeria, African Footballer of the Year 1997, French champion with AS Monaco, later Borussia Dortmund.
Victor Moses
Victor Moses (born 1990, Lagos) is a Nigerian footballer, orphaned in the 2002 Kaduna riots, who won the 2013 AFCON and the 2016/17 Premier League as Chelsea's right wing-back under Conte.
Victor Osimhen
Victor James Osimhen, Nigerian striker for Galatasaray and Nigeria; 2015 U-17 World Cup Golden Boot winner, 2023 Serie A champion and first African capocannoniere with Napoli, joined Galatasaray permanently for a Turkish-record €75m in 2025.
Victor Wanyama
Victor Mugubi Wanyama, born 1991, Kenyan defensive midfielder; first Kenyan in the Premier League; Celtic, Southampton, Tottenham, CF Montréal, Dunfermline; Kenya captain; retired April 2026.
Vincent Aboubakar
Vincent Aboubakar, born 1992, is a Cameroonian center-forward who scored the winning goal in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations final and captained Cameroon to the 2021 edition, finishing as top scorer.
Vincent Enyeama
Vincent Enyeama, born 1982 in Kaduna, Nigeria, is a former goalkeeper for Enyimba, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Lille; Nigeria's most capped player until Ahmed Musa, 2013 AFCON-winning captain, and IFFHS greatest African goalkeeper (2023).
Wagner Pina
Wagner Pina (Wagner Fabrício Cardoso de Pina), born 2002 in Lisbon, is a Cape Verdean right-back for Trabzonspor, signed from Estoril in 2025 for €3M; 2026 Turkish Cup winner, 14 Cape Verde caps, 2026 World Cup participant.
Wilfred Ndidi
Wilfred Onyinye Ndidi (born 1996, Lagos) is a Nigerian defensive midfielder for Beşiktaş, formerly of Genk and Leicester City, a Premier League tackling leader, 2018 World Cup player, and FA Cup and Championship winner.
Wilfried Bony
Wilfried Bony is an Ivorian former footballer, a striker who won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and was the Premier League's top scorer in 2014.
Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha (Dazet Wilfried Armel Zaha), born 1992 in Abidjan, Ivorian winger; Crystal Palace record Premier League scorer, brief Manchester United spell, later Galatasaray and Charlotte FC, Ivory Coast international.
William Troost-Ekong
William Paul Troost-Ekong is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League, captained Nigeria, and was named player of the tournament at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Willy Boly
Willy-Arnaud Zobo Boly (born 1991, Melun, France) is an Ivorian centre-back who played for Auxerre, Braga, Porto, Wolves, and Nottingham Forest, won AFCON 2023 with Côte d'Ivoire, and made 126 Premier League appearances.
Wilson Oruma
Wilson Oruma, born 1976 in Warri, Nigeria, is a retired attacking midfielder who won 1996 Olympic football gold, took the 89th-minute free kick before Amunike's winning goal, and played for Lens, Sochaux, and Marseille.
Yacine Brahimi (ياسين نصر الدين براهيمي)
Yacine Brahimi (ياسين إبراهيمي), born 1990 in Paris, Algerian left winger; 72 caps/15 goals, 2014 World Cup, AFCON 2019, Arab Cup 2021; starred for Granada, Porto, and Al-Gharafa.
Yakubu (footballer)
Yakubu Aiyegbeni, known as The Yak, Nigerian striker born 1982 in Benin City; 95 Premier League goals in 252 games for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, and Blackburn; four PL hat-tricks; Nigeria's 2010 World Cup squad.
Yan Diomande
Yan Diomande (born 2006, Abidjan) is an Ivorian winger for Real Madrid and Côte d'Ivoire; developed at Florida's DME Academy, Bundesliga Rookie of the Season 2025/26 with RB Leipzig, record ~€140m Real Madrid transfer in 2026.
Yannick Bolasie
Yannick Bolasie (Yala), born 1989 in Lyon, is a DR Congo international winger who starred for Crystal Palace, joined Everton in 2016, suffered an ACL injury, and later played in Turkey and Brazil.
Yassine Bounou (ياسين بونو)
Yassine Bounou (ياسين بونو), nicknamed Bono, Moroccan goalkeeper born 1991 in Montreal; Wydad, Atlético, Girona, Sevilla, Al Hilal; 2022 World Cup semifinalist, two shootout saves vs Spain, CAF Best Goalkeeper 2022.
Yassir Zabiri
Yassir Zabiri (Mohamed Yassir Zabiri, born 2005, Marrakech) is a Moroccan centre-forward who scored both goals in Morocco's 2-0 win over Argentina in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup final, finished tournament top scorer, then joined Stade Rennais for €10m and starred on loan at Racing Santander.
Yaya Touré
Yaya Touré (Gnégnéri Yaya Touré), Ivorian midfielder born 1983; won the 2009 Champions League with Barcelona, three Premier League titles with Manchester City, and AFCON 2015; four-time African Footballer of the Year, later a coach.
Yoane Wissa
Yoane Wissa, DR Congo forward born 1996 in France; Lorient, Brentford (record PL scorer, 19 goals in 2024/25), then Newcastle United from September 2025 for a reported £55m.
Younès Belhanda (يونس بلحندة)
Younès Belhanda (يونس بلحندة), born 1990 in Avignon, Moroccan attacking midfielder; Ligue 1 champion 2012 with Montpellier, titles in Ukraine and Turkey with Dynamo Kyiv and Galatasaray, 52 Morocco caps, 2018 World Cup, now Al-Sailiya SC.
Youssef El-Arabi (يوسف العربي)
Youssef El-Arabi (يوسف العربي), born 1987, Moroccan-French striker; Granada's all-time La Liga scorer (35 goals), Al Duhail and Olympiacos marksman, 2024 Conference League winner, later APOEL, Nantes, Marko.
Youssef En-Nesyri (يوسف النصيري)
Youssef En-Nesyri (يوسف النصيري) is a Moroccan professional striker best known for his aerial power during the 2022 World Cup and his time at Sevilla.
Yves Bissouma
Yves Bissouma, Malian defensive midfielder born 1996 in Issia, Ivory Coast; JMG Academy Bamako to Lille, Brighton, Tottenham (111 apps, 2025 Europa League), then Ajax 2026; £25m 2022 transfer.
Zadok Yohanna
Zadok Abu Yohanna (born 2007) is a Nigerian right winger who joined Brighton & Hove Albion from AIK Stockholm in 2026 for a reported £21.5m, a Swedish transfer record; left-footed, ex-Ikon Allah Academy, Nigeria Unity Cup call-up.