Africa is indeed a blessed continent filled with great talents in every sector including football. Most African footballers, who play for big teams, are paid immensely for the great work they do on the field of play.

African footballers are doing well in Europe. Countries that initially did not have players shining in top leagues are now cheering their own. Kenya, for example, did not have a single footballer in English Premier League. Today Victor Wanyama is one of the best performing African players in Europe. He now plays for Tottenham Hotspurs where he moved last summer from Southampton.

West Africa has produced the highest number of stars and we can all agree they have represented the continent well. That particular figure transforms to wealth accumulation in the region. Many stars in the top ten richest footballers also hail from the western side of our great continent.

Professional footballers are generally well to do in the financial aspect. After a thorough study by a French publication, Footendirect, the publication made a list of the richest African footballers of all times. The list included both active and retired soccer players.

Leading on the Footendirect’s ranking is none other than Samuel Eto with an over $200 million. Following this loaded soccer star are Yaya Toure with an estimated net worth of $170 million, Didier Drogba with $155 million; followed by the two renowned soccer retirees from Nigeria- Kanu Nwankwo and Jay-Jay Okocha.

Both football legends represented the African continent and their country, Nigeria, in the international sports community beautifully well. After their successful soccer careers, both Nigerians are worth $100m and $150m respectively (as at the time of the ranking).

John Mikel Obi, the best paid Nigerian player at the moment is at the top 8th spot. Mikel weekly earns about £75,000 from Chelsea club. Summatively the star apparently earns about $50 million on annual bases.

Footballers seem to be the leading celebrities when it comes to the luxurious and perhaps the lavish lifestyle. They own some of the most expensive houses in the world. Emmanuel Adebayor is one soccer star who appreciates luxury toys. The Togolese footballer has jets, exotic automobiles and an exquisite mansion.

These are the top richest African footballers of all times:

1. Samuel Eto’o


Club: Antalyaspor

Net Worth: $202 Million

Former Cameroon International Samuel Etoo is the most decorated African player of all time. He has won all trophies available for club and country except the World Cup. He has played in England, Spain, Italy, Russia and now Turkey winning trophies with most of the clubs. His best years were spent at Barcelona and Inter Milan where he won UEFA Champions League in two consecutive years. At the number 1 spot, we have the Cameroonian-born star, Samuel Eto’o. He plays for the Turkish side, Antalyaspor where he earns £170,000.

2. Yaya Touré


Club: Manchester City

Net Worth: $170 Million

Ivory Coast Captain Yaya Toure is one of the best midfielders ever to come from Africa. He has won everything available in football at Club level with his current team Manchester City and Barcelona before that. He also helped his country win Africa Cup of Nations to complete a wonderful career

3. Didier Drogba


Club: Montreal

Net Worth: $155 Million

Former Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba dominated African football in the last decade together with Samuel Etoo of Cameroon. The former Chelsea striker won all trophies available in club level including the Champions League in 2012. He last played for Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact in 2016 but now he is a free agent.

4. Jay-Jay Okocha


Net Worth: $150 Million (2015)

Jay-Jay Okocha is regarded by many who watched him play as the ‘African Lionel Messi’. He had skills, trickery, confidence, and technique. He is one of the best in the history of African football. In Nigeria, they say he was so good even his parents decided to name him twice (Jay-Jay). He played for Bolton Wanderers, Paris Saint Germain, Hull City and Nigeria National team.

5. Nwankwo Kanu


Net Worth: $100 Million (2015)

Pay TV Star Times African Ambassador Nwankwo Kanu is certainly a celebrated legend in Africa. He played for a number of big clubs in Europe namely Arsenal, Portsmouth, Ajax, and InterMilan. He also played and Captained Nigeria for 16 years

6. Michael Essien


Club: Panathinaikos

Net Worth: $70 Million (2015)

Former Ghana International Michael Essien is a respected legend at English Premier League Chelsea. He enjoyed his best football at Stamford Bridge. He helped the club win a number of trophies among them Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup. We all remember that bullet goal against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.

7. Emmanuel Adebayor


Club: Crystal Palace

Net Worth: $57 Million (2015)

Togolese International and former Captain Emmanuel Adebayor is a man who has seen it all in football. He has made headlines several times for all manner of issues. He has had a successful career by any standards. He played for Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspurs and Crystal Palace in English Premier League.  He also had a short stint at Real Madrid in La Liga among others. The Togolese who moved to the Turkish club, Ä°stanbul BaÅŸakÅŸehir last January as a striker is another top earner. He earns £58,000 on a weekly basis.

8. Obi Mikel


Club: Chelsea

Net Worth: $50 Million (2015)

Nigerian International midfielder John Obi Mikel played for English Premier League Club Chelsea for 11 years since 2006. He won every trophy available in club level. He left Blues in January to join Chinese Super League side Tianjin TEDA for undisclosed fee. Mikel Obi, who currently plays for the Chinese side, Tianjin TEDA takes the number 8 spot on the countdown. Mikel earns £140,000 weekly.

9. Kolo Touré


Club: Liverpool

Net Worth: $43 Million (2015)

Ivory Coast International Kolo Toure has also represented English Premier League clubs namely Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.

10. Sulley Muntari


Club: Ittihad FC

Net Worth: $40 Million (2015)

Former Ghanaian International has also played for Udinese, Sunderland, InterMilan and AC Milan.

Source: Africa Facts

Though we wouldn’t quibble with Patrick Bateman in the arenas of business card design, his workout needs a tweak. That washboard stomach is in spite of, rather than thanks to, a 1000-crunch-a-day regime that’s more likely to leave him with lumbar problems than a six-pack.

It’s faulty logic that sees a sit-up as the abs version of a bicep curl. It’s an understandable mistake; you curl a weight to pump your guns, so surely it’s the same if you want to get a six-pack? But that ignores two important truths: one, your core is designed to hold you upright, not flex back and forth; two, everyone has a six-pack – it’s just buried beneath your gut.

And we’ll let you in on a little secret: a six-pack is, as the name suggests, not one muscle. So it needs more than one exercise to reap results. “Some of the best six packs I’ve seen in the gym are carried by those who have not done a single crunch in their life,” says Peter Gaffney, founder of PGPT, London’s leading mobile personal training service.

The answer, in short, is doing sit-ups has a very low calorie burn. Focus on nutrition and get those big compound movements going to give you that Baywatch six-pack look.”

Here’s how to switch up the traditional sit-up for the moves proven to deliver that six-pack – without trading in your PT for a chiropractor with this ultimate diet and exercise guide.

The Six Pack Diet
Sadly, no matter how much the dedicated attendees of ‘Abs Blast’ classes want to believe, you can’t melt fat away from specific areas. When you burn calories, your body finds fuel from everywhere. And – sorry gents – men’s bodies choose to stockpile that extra energy around the middle. Right where your six-pack should be.

That’s why if you want to burn fat and show the world your abs, a good diet is as important as exercise, if not more so. “They do say that abs are made in the kitchen for a reason,” says Sandy Macaskill, Barry’s Bootcamp co-founder and master trainer. “You could have the best abs in the business but if they’re covered by a layer of fat, nobody’s going to know about it.”

What’s in Macaskill’s fridge, then?

“I don’t believe in ‘a diet’ because something you start is by definition something you stop. Much better to make healthy choices part of your ongoing lifestyle,” she recommends. “Cut down on alcohol. Drink more water. Eat smaller portions, more often.

“A simple day could look like this: scrambled eggs first thing, midmorning protein shake, baked salmon and sweet potato salad for lunch, afternoon snack of trail mix, (and while it’s summer) barbecue some chicken and corn for supper and enjoy a glass of wine.”

That doesn’t sound too punishing now does it?

The Fat-Burning Six-Pack Workout
The most effective regime is one that focuses on total-body workouts, which burn as many calories – and as much fat – in as little time as possible.

It’s important that the exercises you choose work your core – the area from your above your hips to below your pecs – so when the fat starts clearing, solid abs start appearing. But equally that the exercises you choose tax bigger (and therefore more calorie-guzzling) muscles at the same time.

Macaskill recommends some serious running training be incorporated into your program. “Interval sprints are a fantastic way of burning fat. Aim for short periods of rest and intense bursts of high intensity. Think how start-stop traffic burns the most fuel. Same deal here.

“To carry it further – the bigger the engine, the bigger the burn. Strength training is therefore crucial. A well designed strength programme helps create a ‘furnace effect’ and keeps you burning calories for up to 24 hours. That’s where you want to be.”

The Six-Pack Circuit
For these strengthening core-focused full-body exercises you’ll need a pull-up bar, a kettlebell (a dumbbell, or any weight will do as replacement) and some floor space. Take 30 seconds rest between each move, and two minutes between circuits.

Aim to do the circuit five times over, three times a week. Can’t do that? Then complete as much as possible and work up to it. Any sweat is better than none.

 Chin-Up
Reps: 4-6
With arms a little more than shoulder-width apart, hold the bar with an underhand grip. From a dead hang – that’s arms completely extended – pull yourself up until your chin is over the bar. Pause, then slowly lower yourself back down until you’re back in a dead hang. If your arms aren’t straight, you’re cheating.

Why it works: Chin-ups target your big back and arm muscles, which ups your calorie burn. But by engaging your core to keep your body locked in position, you also work your abs.

Pro tip: “By engaging the core your body stays nice and firm and avoids any of those unwanted swinging movements which unnecessarily tires you out,” says Gaffney.

Finding it hard to complete the reps? Don’t quit. Jump up to the top position of the move and slowly lower yourself down as slowly as possible.

Spiderman Plank
Reps: 10-12 (each side)
Set up in a push-up position, with your forearms flat on the floor directly below your shoulders, and weight resting on your toes. Engage your core to keep your torso flat – there should be a straight line from your shoulders to your heels.

Slowly bring one knee towards the elbow on the same side of your body, using your core to keep your torso from twisting. Return to the start position and repeat on the other side. Get the name?

Why it works: Studies show that standard planks are a good core move. This variation is a great core move. It keeps your heart rate up for increased fat-burning and works your obliques – those muscles at either side of your six-pack which you may recognise from Tyler Durden’s torso.

Pro tip: It’s not a race. Keep the movement controlled to increase the tension through your core and engage more muscle. And more muscle means a more defined six-pack. “The beauty of the plank is the amount of progression you can add the stronger and fitter you become,” adds Gaffney. “The spiderman plank is at the top of those progressions with amazing strength being worked through the core.