The Premier League has never been void of dazzling Southern African stars who have left an indelible mark on English football. From as early as the 1990s, several players from the COSAFA region have graced the English topflight.
It’s been raining goals for Southern African players in the Premier League since Zimbabwe’s Peter Ndhlovu broke the scoring duck in 1992.
BolaNews presents the list of players from the COSAFA region to score atleast 10 goals in the Premier League since 1992.
6. Patson Daka (Zambia): 10 goals
Daka is the latest addition to the list of Southern African players with 10 or more goals in the Premier League. The Chipolopolo striker netted Leicester City’s third goal in their 3-1 win against West Ham on Tuesday, becoming the first Zambian to hit double figures in the competition.
5. Steven Pienaar (South Africa): 20 goals
Pienaar made over 200 appearances in the English topflight, playing for Everton, Tottenham and Sunderland. He scored 20 league goals for the Merseysiders, becoming a fan favourite at the Goodison Park.
4. Shaun Bartlett (South Africa): 24 goals
Plying his trade for Charlton Athletic during the early 2000s, Bartlett scored 24 Premier League goals in 123 matches. One goal that really stands out was the left-footed volley he netted against Leicester City in 2001, which won the Premier League Goal of the Season accolade.
3. Benjani (Zimbabwe): 26 goals
When you are talking about a ‘streets won’t forget player,’ one name that will surely cross your mind is Benjani. The Zimbabwean always had a surprise in the locker, scoring against top sides like Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham during the ‘prime Barclays’ era. He scored 26 Premier League goals in 119 games on the books of Portsmouth, Manchester City, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland.
2. Peter Ndhlovu (Zimbabwe): 34 goals
Signed by Coventry City in 1991 from Zimbabwean side Highlanders, Peter Ndhlovu led the foundation for African players in the Premier League. In 1992, he became the first African player to score a goal in England’s newly founded topflight competition. Ndhlovu netted 34 Premier League goals in 154 outings.
1. Benni McCarthy (South Africa): 37 goals
No Southern African player has scored as many Premier League goals as Benni McCarthy. The Bafana Bafana icon netted 37 times in 120 league matches for Blackburn Rovers and West Ham between 2006 and 2011.
