Africans, Champions of Europe

The final of the Champions League in Europe slated for next Saturday will be played between the Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. Three players from Africa, Samuel Eto'o and Sulley Muntari John Mariga, all Milan, are concerned about this great event. This is an opportunity to revisit the achievements of Africa in this prestigious competition.

In 1987, apart the famous back-heel which sent FC Porto to paradise and his fabulous goal and the success with the portuguese club in match against Bayern Munich (2-1), the Algerian Rabah Madjer, is the first african since 1956 who raised the most coveted trophy in Europe. The Worst is that, in 31 editions no footballer from the black continent had taken part in the final of champions League. In 1987, Madjer was the symbol of an Algerian football, This European title was announcing at the same time the gradual arrival, and massive of African players in Europe.

They are not many, African footballers to have played a final and neither to have won it. They are only eight to have raised the "Cup with big ears." Abedi Pele is the first, six years later, to follow the tracks of the international Algerian. The Ghanaian becomes Europe champion with the best team of all time Marseille. Two years ago, he had failed to beat Partizan Belgrade (0-0, 4tab5). In 1995. The two Nigerians, Gorge Finidi and Kwanwo Kanu are part of the spectacular team of Nigeria, Africa champion and the eighth-finalist of the World cup in 1994.

After the success of the two Super Eagles, it took five years for the Cameroon midfielder Geremi Njitap to reach the European title with Real Madrid and Raul Morrientes. in 2001, the Ghanaian defender Emmanuel Kuffour axial triumph with the Bayern Munich; Then in 2004, the striker Benni McCarthy contribute to a wide success of FC Porto (3-0) before AS Monaco of Shabani Nonda . But finally, it's Samuel Eto'o who is living the most beautiful love story with the Champions League. Let us admit that, his immense talent, the Indomitable Lion has a knack of being in a good club at the right time, likewise in 2005.

Twenty-seven years after the back-heel of Madjer Then, in 2009, the Cameroon is still there to offer a second European title. And the nice adventure of Eto'o in Champions League is not over.

For he will be presented again Saturday, May 22 with Inter Milan to try a historic treble. then Eto'o European champion 2010, It's possible. Winner, he will share this honor with the Kenyan and Nigerian McDonald Mariga and the Nigéria Sulley Ali Muntari. When we say that Cameroonian is still there where they should be, when needed.

Africans beaten in the final :
1988 : PSV 0 Benfica 0 (7 tab 5)
- Hajiri Redouane (Benfica, Maroc)
1991 : Partizan 0 Marseille 0 (5 tab 4)
- Abedi Pelé (Marseille, Ghana)
1995 : Juventus 1 Ajax 1 ( 4 tab 2)
- Kiki Musampa (Zaïre, Ajax), George Finidi et Nwankwo Kanu (Ajax, Nigeria)
1999 : Manchester United 2 Bayern Munich 1
- Samuel Osei Kuffour (Bayern, Ghana)
2004 : FC Porto 3 Monaco 0
- Shabani Nonda (RD Congo, Monaco)
2005 : FC Barcelone 2 Arsenal 1
- Kolo Touré, Emmanuel Eboué (Arsenal, Côte d’Ivoire)
2008 : Manchester United 1 Chelsea 1 (6 tab 5)
- Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou (Chelsea, Côte d’Ivoire), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea, Nigeria), Michael Essien (Chelsea, Ghana).

Africans scorer in final:
2 goals : Samuel Eto’o (Cameroun)
1 goal : Rabah Madjer (Algérie)