AFCON 2025: Top 10 oldest players of all-time
SA People has compiled a list of 10 oldest players of all-time to feature at AFCON finals since the first edition in 1957.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has seen PSL and Mozambique legend Elias Pelembe become the oldest player at the finals.
Pelembe is aged 42, and he’s still strong enough to carry the hopes of the Mambas on his shoulders.
SA People takes a look at the top 10 oldest players who made appearances in the AFCON history.
AFCON 2025: PELEMBE AMONG THE OLDEST IN HISTORY
- Essam El Hadary (Egypt) – 44 years, 21 days in 2017
- Mohamed Lawal (Nigeria) – 42 years, 5 months, 18 days in 1982
- *Elias Pelembe (Mozambique) – 42 years, 1 month, 11 days in 2025
- *Denis Onyango (Uganda) – 41 years, 7 months, 12 days in 2025
- *Washington Arubi (Zimbabwe) – 40 years, 3 months, 27 days in 2025
- *Hugo Marques (Angola) – 39 years, 11 months, 11 days in 2025
- Ali Boumnijel (Tunisia) – 39 years, 9 months, 22 days in 2006
- Hossam Hassan (Egypt) – 39 years, 5 months, 28 days in 2006
- Samir Aboud (Libya) – 39 years, 4 months in 2012
- Robert Kidiaba (DR Congo) – 39 years, 6 days in 2015
A SPECIAL MENTION…
This is a special mention to the late John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu who is Bafana Bafana’s oldest player at AFCON finals.
Moshoeu first featured in that historic AFCON win for Bafana Bafana in 1996 on home soil.
He went on to feature in each and every AFCON that followed until the 2004 edition in Tunisia.
At the time, Moshoeu was 38 years, 1 month, and 13 days. Bafana Bafana were coached by Shakes Mashaba.
NB: The asterisk (*) seen on certain players indicates that they are still actively playing.