African stars in previous Champions League finals

Sebastien Haller of the Ivory Coast is hoping to have the same kind of impact for Borussia Dortmund as he did in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final. In the meantime, we take a look back at previous Africans who have been key players in the UEFA Champions League final over the years.

Samuel Eto’o in the 2006 UEFA Champions League final

Samuel Eto’o was unfortunate not to equalize as he trailed 1-0 at the Stade de France in Paris after making a quick spin inside the area and sending a shot against the left post. After latching onto a superb through-ball from Henrik Larsson, the Cameroon striker ultimately leveled the score for Barcelona with a brilliant goal at the near post from an acute angle. Henrik Larsson was voted Man of the Match. In addition, Larsson set up Juliano Belletti’s game-winning goal ten minutes from time as the Blaugrana prevailed 2-1.

Samuel Eto’o in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final

In the ninth minute of play at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Barcelona overcame an early onslaught from Manchester United. Andres Iniesta made a breakaway run through the middle, slipping in Eto’o, who used a deft touch to get past Nemanja Vidic on the right and stab the ball past Edwin van der Sar at the near post. The goal was Indomitable Lion’s final one for the team before he moved in July to join Inter Milan.

Didier Drogba in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final

It would take four years for Didier Drogba to finally hold Europe’s most coveted club trophy after Manchester United had denied him in the 2008 final. With a strong header at the near post in minute 88, the Ivory Coast striker saved Chelsea from Bayern Munich’s 83rd-minute opener. The Blues won 4-3 and their Ivorian star was named Man of the Match after Drogba scored the game-winning penalty in the shootout.

Mohamed Salah in the 2019 UEFA Champions League final

At the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Liverpool got off to a fantastic start when Mohamed Salah scored the first goal from the penalty spot two minutes after Sadio Mane’s pass inside the area had struck Moussa Sissoko in the arm. The Reds’ 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in the 2018 championship final had disappointed the Egypt and Senegal internationals, but they finally received their just desserts after playing crucial parts in the Merseysiders’ 2018–19 title-winning season.