The love of football in Africa runs deep, it’s more than just a sport, it’s woven into the fabric of society. Street football is a common sight, with kids using whatever they can to create goals and have a game.
For many football offers a pathway out of poverty and a chance for a better life. Seeing African players succeed on the world stage inspires millions and provides hope for the future.
Although lots of African players play for top European clubs, there are successful football clubs on the continent. Some of the most successful ones by market value include:
1. Al Ahly [Egypt] – $30.5 million
Al Ahly Sporting Club, commonly known as Al Ahly, is an Egyptian professional sports club based in Cairo, Egypt.
The club was founded on April 24, 1907, as a gathering place for Cairo’s Student Unions.
Since then, they have had a very successful history, winning a record 43 Egyptian Premier League titles, 39 Egypt Cup titles, and 14 Egyptian Super Cups.
It is considered the most successful club in Africa, having won a record number of trophies in CAF competitions.
The team currently plays in the Egyptian Premier League, the highest tier in the Egyptian football league system.
Al Ahly is the most valuable football club in Africa with an estimated market value of $30.5 million.
2. Mamelodi Sundowns [South Africa] – $29.15 million
Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club is a South African professional football club based in Mamelodi, Pretoria in the Gauteng province that plays in the Premier Soccer League, the first tier of the South African football league system.
Founded in the 1970s, the team plays its home games in the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
The club has won the Premier League title a record 13 times since its inception in 1996, holds the joint record of 3 National Soccer League Championships, and has won 16 league titles in total.
In 2021, Sundowns became the first club in Africa to win both CAF Champions League and CAF Women’s Champions League titles.
Mamelodi Sundowns is the second most valuable football club in Africa. Its market value is estimated at $29.15 million.
It is owned by Patrice Motsepe. The chairman is Tlhopie Motsepe.
3. Pyramids FC [Egypt] – $21.73 million
Pyramids Football Club is an Egyptian professional football club based in New Cairo, Cairo that competes in the Egyptian Premier League, the highest league in the Egyptian football league system.
The club was founded in 1990 and is the second most popular in Tunisia with a strong fan base in the Eastern province of the country.
It is owned by Salem Al Shamsi. The chairman of Pyramid FC is Mamdouh Eid.
Pyramids FC’s market value is estimated at $21.72 million.
4. Orlando Pirates [South Africa] – $19.55 million
Orlando Pirates Football Club is a South African professional football club based in Orlando, Soweto that plays in the top-tier system of Football in South Africa known as DStv Premiership.
The team plays its home matches at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. The stadium is owned by the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality.
The manager of Orlando Pirates is José Riveiro. The chairman is Irvin Khoza.
5. Zamalek [Egypt] – $19.23 million
Zamalek Sporting Club, commonly referred to as Al Zamalek, is an Egyptian sports club based in Giza, Egypt.
The club is mainly known for its professional football team, which plays in the Egyptian Premier League, the top tier of the Egyptian football league system.
Over the years, the club has recorded a consistent success at both domestic and continental levels.
George Merzbach Bey, the founder and first president of Zamalek SC. The club was founded in 1911.
Zamalek was the first Egyptian team to qualify for the 2001 FIFA Club World Championship in Spain (although this was cancelled by FIFA due to funding issues).
The Portuguese tactician, Jose Gomes, is the current head coach of Zamalek SC (as of April 2024).
By market value of Zamalek SC is worth $19.23.