Africa is a nation that is somewhat neglected by World Football despite producing some of the most talented, skilled and powerful players ever to grace a football pitch. The African style is often fast paced, powerful and exciting, yet they lack that killer touch that has ensured an African side has never succeeded in winning a World Cup.

The African Nations Cup occurs every two years and provides the world a minor glimpse of how beautifully Africa plays football and how much it means to struggling, poverty stricken nations. Tales are told of how as youngsters some of the best African players played in dirty, muddy alleyways with rolled up paper bags. 

So in recognition of Africa, this article will rank the 10 best African players in the English Premier League.

Honourable Mentions

10 is a small number, and due to the evergrowing amount of Africans emerging in the Premier League, it is impossible to fit all of them in, which is why this slide honours the talented Africans who are immensely talented and consistent and came agonisingly close.

1.Salmon Kalou-Ivory Coast/Chelsea

2.Peter Odemwinge-Nigeria/West Bromwich Albion

3.Yakubu Aiyegbeni-Nigeria/Everton

4.Danny Shittu-Nigeria/Bolton Wanderers

5.Dickson Etuhu-Nigeria/Fulham

6.John Mensah-Ghana/Sunderland(on loan from Lyon)

7.Asamoah Gyan-Ghana/Sunderland

8.Ahmed Al-Muhammadi-Egypt/Sunderland

9.Steve Gohouri-Ivory Coast/Wigan Athletic

10.Victor Anichebe-Nigeria/Everton

11.Herita Ilunga-Congo DR/West Ham United

12.Victor Obinna-Nigeria/West Ham(on loan from Inter Milan)

13.Marouane Chamakh-Morocco/Arsenal

14.Mamady Sidibe-Mali/Stoke City

15.Abdoulaye Meite-Ivory Coast/West Bromwich Albion

16.Youssuf Mulumbu-Congo DR/West Bromwich Albion

17.Christopher Samba-Congo/Blackburn

18.Benoit Assou-Ekotto-Cameroon/Tottenham

19.Sebastien Bassong-Cameroon/Tottenham

20.George Elokobi-Cameroon/Wolverhampton

21.Somen Tychoyi-Cameroon/West Bromwich

22.Adlene Guedioura-Algeria/Wolverhampton

23.Amine Linganzi-Algeria/Blackburn

24.Kelvin Etuhu-Nigeria/Manchester City

25.Habib Beye-Senegal/Aston Villa

26.Salif Diao-Senegal/ Stoke City

27.El Hadji Diouf-Senegal/Bolton

28.Benni McCarthy-South Afirca/West Ham

29.Mame Biram Diouf-Senegal/Blackburn(on loan from Manchester United)

30.Abdoulaye Faye-Senegal/Stoke

31.Diomansy Kamara-Senegal/Fulham

32. Moustapha Salifou-Togo/Aston Villa

33.Benjani Mwaruwari-Zimbabwe/BlackBurn

10.Steven Pienaar-South Africa/Everton

The Everton playmaker is one of the silkiest and composed players on the ball in the Premier League, and has been a consistent force for David Moyes. The 28-year-old is blessed with quick feet and an impressive passing range along with a ferocious shot.

Pienaar has been the focal point of the South African team for a number of years and is one of the most respected African players.

9.Emmanuel Eboue-Ivory Coast/Arsenal

The Arsenal utility is a wonderful presence to have in any side. It is rare to see the 27-year-old with a frown on his face as Eboue appears to nothing but smile. Not only is the Ivorian a gracious presence, he is also a superb footballer who is blessed with amazing pace and versatility that enables him to perform strongly on literally every position on the field.

Eboue has been a constant performer for North London giants Arsenal for half a decade now and has accumulated almost 200 games for the Gunners.

8. Yaya Toure-Ivory Coast/Manchester City

The Ivorian is one of the most successful and talented midfielders to come out of Africa. Blessed with a commanding 6'4" presence and a terrific passing game, Yaya Toure has achieved numerous successes throughout Europe, winning the La Liga, Champions League and Copel de Rey.

Currently with big spenders Manchester City, the 27-year-old is sure to soon enforce his African presence onto the English scene.

7. Emmanuel Adebayor-Togo/Manchester City

The Togolese king has helped put the small African nation onto the World Footballing scene, almost single handily leading the Sparrow Hawks  to the 2006 World Cup where they endured a tough group stage and were unable to progress to the round of 16.

The 26-year-old's efforts in the Premier League are even more impressive. After joining Arsenal in 2006, the Togo sharpshooter became a constant goal scorer, netting 62 times in 142 appearances. The former AS Monaco man was voted African Player of the Year in 2008 after a superb season with the Gunners.

Since moving to Manchester City in the Summer of 2009, Adebayor’s goal scoring feats have somewhat diminished, but there is no denying Emmanuel Adebayor is one terrific African players.

6. Joseph Yobo-Nigeria/Everton

The Everton centre half has been a commanding figure in the Toffee’s line up for countless seasons now, and despite currently being on loan in Turkey with Fenerbache, Joseph Yobo has been a great performer for both Nigeria and Everton.

The 30-year-old is a born leader, having led Nigeria and, on occasions, Everton.  Boasting an imposing, tenacious figure alongside a ferocious tackle and a great head, the former Olympique Marseille back thoroughly deserves a spot.

5. Kolo Toure-Ivory Coast/Manchester City

The Ivorian is a hugely energetic, strong defender who continues to perform at the highest level.  Toure arrived to the Premier League in 2002 after being signed by Arsenal and during his seven year spell achieved greatness, being part of the Invincibles side, which dominated the League in 2003/2004 without losing a match.

The 28-year-old is currently with City having joined in the Summer of 2009 and has continued to be a natural leader and hugely dominating defender.

4. John Obi Mikel-Chelsea/Ivory Coast

The Chelsea midfielder has gone from strength to strength since joining Chelsea in 2006 and has been a vital and influential part of their recent dominance. A consistent, quiet achiever who happily completes the physical side of the midfielder alongside contributing as an extra playmaker, Mikel has risen up through the ranks to become renown, world class midfielder.

Furthermore, the Nigerian is still only 23 and has a glistening future ahead of him that is sure to contain numerous awards and trophies.

3. Alexandre Song-Cameroon/Arsenal

Arguably the most improved African and player in the Premier League. Alexandre Song has established himself has one of the best defensive midfielders in World Football and a vital part of both Arsenal and the Cameroon national team.

Equally at home in the central defence, Song is a highly physical and technical player who completes and outstanding amounts of work per game.  The 23-year-old is also still young, yet has the maturity and experience of a player much older and wiser.

Song is also one of the most underrated and undervalued players in World Football, but, like his Arsenal and Cameroon sides, is set to soon become trophy filled.

2. Michael Essien-Ghana/Chelsea

Easily the best defensive midfielder in the World, Essien is a natural leader who is blessed with immense strength and a beautiful passing range which continues to lead London giants Chelsea to greatness. Essien is a national hero of Ghana, and rightly so, as his efforts have seen the Black Stars reach consecutive World Cups, both times progressing past the group stages.

The 28-year-old is a terrific midfielder whose ability to both defend and attack strongly with ease and energy ensures he is a complete midfield package. Furthermore, it is only a matter of time before “The Bisson” leads Ghana to promise.

1.Didier Drogba-Ivory Coast/Chelsea

Obviously. Drogba is easily the most influential and strongest player to emerge from the heart of Africa. The Ivorian forward is an ultimate beast on the ball with elegance and power complimenting one another immensely.

The 30-year-old is also a natural leader who is a threat in the air when taking free kicks and every time the ball is at his feet. Drogba is one of the highest goal scorers for Chelsea and the captain and all time high goal scorer for the Ivory Coast.

It is akin to impossible to find a better African player currently and even of all time.