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In a historic moment for African football, Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy has become the first African goalkeeper to win the Champions League title in its current form.
The achievement came after Chelsea defeated Manchester City in the final tonight, marking a significant milestone for Mendy and African goalkeepers.
Who is the first African goalkeeper to win Champions League?
While Mendy is the first African goalkeeper to win the Champions League in its current format, it is worth noting that Zimbabwe’s Bruce Grobbelaar had previously won the title during the European Cup era in 1984 with Liverpool.
Grobbelaar’s victory 37 years ago made him the first African player to feature in a European Cup final, with his influential performance helping Liverpool secure a penalty shootout victory against AS Roma.
Although Grobbelaar came close to winning the title again in 1985, when Liverpool fell short against Juventus in the final, Mendy has now etched his name in history as the first African goalkeeper to lift the coveted Champions League trophy in its modern incarnation.
Mendy, a Senegalese international, follows in the footsteps of his countryman Tony Sylva, who was the understudy to Flavio Roma in the AS Monaco team that faced Jose Mourinho’s FC Porto in the 2005 final.
Sylva’s presence in the final marked another significant moment for African goalkeepers, as he came close to clinching the title but ultimately fell short.
For Sylva, having role models like pioneering Cameroonian goalkeepers Joseph-Antoine Bell and Thomas N’Kono played a crucial role in inspiring him to pursue a career in Europe as a goalkeeper.
Their success showed Sylva that it was possible for African goalkeepers to excel at the highest level, paving the way for future talents like Mendy.
Mendy’s exceptional performances since joining Chelsea from Rennes at the beginning of the season have been instrumental in the team’s success.
His commanding presence, shot-stopping abilities, and composure under pressure have earned him praise from teammates, fans, and pundits alike.
As the first African goalkeeper to win the Champions League in its current form, Mendy’s achievement is a testament to the talent and potential that exists within African football.
This article was updated 4 days ago