The most-capped African players in Premier League history

Leicester City's Zambian striker Patson Daka made his 100th appearance in all competitions for Leicester City on the weekend to become the Zambian player with the most appearances for an English side.

His milestone was big news in his home country, but to be fair, the pickings have been slim for Zambians in England.

Daka aside, the biggest Zambian names to taste success in England have been former Portsmouth striker Collins Mbesuma and Southampton's Emmanuel Mayuka - a player who arrived with a big reputation but who failed to live up to his billing.

But while Zambia has not been able to deliver many stars to the Premier League, it cannot be said that there has been a shortage of African players, with many of the Premier League greats hailing from the continent.

DAZN News takes a look at the six African players who have featured most in the EPL.

1. Kolo Touré (Ivory Coast) – 353 appearances

• Clubs: Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool
• How He Arrived: Kolo Touré was signed by Arsenal in 2002 from ASEC Mimosas, a club renowned for producing Ivorian talent.

Touré became a defensive stalwart during Arsenal’s Invincibles season in 2003-04, where the Gunners went unbeaten to claim the Premier League title.

He later moved to Manchester City, playing a key role in their rise to prominence, and then to Liverpool, where his leadership was invaluable.

Touré is celebrated as one of the best African defenders to ever play in the league.

He is the brother of another EPL regular, Manchester City's Yaya Toure, who himself turned out 230 times for City.

2. Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast) – 305 appearances

• Clubs: Crystal Palace, Manchester United
• How He Arrived: Born in Abidjan, Zaha moved to England as a child and rose to prominence through Crystal Palace’s academy.

Zaha became synonymous with Crystal Palace, dazzling fans with his dribbling and creativity. While his brief stint at Manchester United didn’t pan out, his return to Palace solidified him as one of the league’s most exciting players.

A two-time Crystal Palace Player of the Year, Zaha is revered for his loyalty and flair. He played twice for England before switching allegiance to the country of his birth and winning 35 caps for Ivory Coast.

He is currently playing in Lyon in France, on loan from Galatasaray.

Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

3. Shola Ameobi (Nigeria) – 298 appearances

• Club: Newcastle United
• How He Arrived: Born in Nigeria, Ameobi moved to England as a child and joined Newcastle’s academy.

Ameobi spent 14 years at Newcastle United, becoming a cult hero for his work rate and knack for scoring in derbies.

Nicknamed “The Mackem Slayer” for his record against Sunderland, Ameobi also contributed significantly during Newcastle’s campaigns in the Premier League and Europe.

4. Cheikhou Kouyaté (Senegal) – 291 Caps

• Clubs: West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest
• How He Arrived: Kouyaté joined West Ham in 2014 from Anderlecht after impressing in Belgium.

Kouyaté’s versatility as a midfielder and occasional defender made him an essential figure at every club he played for.

Known for his physicality and leadership, Kouyaté has been a steady performer in the Premier League, helping Nottingham Forest secure survival in the 2022-23 season. He left Forest at the end of last season.

5. Jordan Ayew (Ghana) – 289 appearances

• Clubs: Aston Villa, Swansea City, Crystal Palace, Leicester City
• How He Arrived: Ayew joined Aston Villa in 2015 from Lorient in Ligue 1.

Ayew has become a reliable presence in the Premier League, known for his work ethic and occasional moments of brilliance.

While not the most prolific striker, his contributions to Crystal Palace in a 195-match stay were crucial in maintaining the Eagles' Premier League status.

The only player on this list still actively playing in England, Ayew joined Leicester City at the start of the current season.

6. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – 284 appearances

• Clubs: Leicester City, Manchester City
• How He Arrived: Mahrez was signed by Leicester City in 2014 from Le Havre for a modest fee.

Mahrez played a pivotal role in Leicester City’s fairytale 2015-16 Premier League triumph, earning the PFA Player of the Year award.

His move to Manchester City in 2018 saw him add more trophies to his collection, including multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups, and a Champions League.

His silky skills and clutch performances have cemented his legacy as one of the Premier League’s greats.