Every team has eleven players, but their jobs are very different. Here are the main positions you will see on our player profiles.
Goalkeeper
The only player allowed to handle the ball, inside their own penalty area. Modern goalkeepers also start attacks with their feet. Africa has produced world-class keepers such as Morocco's Yassine Bounou and Senegal's Édouard Mendy.
Defenders
- Centre-back: defends the middle of the pitch, wins headers and blocks shots.
- Full-back (right-back or left-back): defends the flanks and supports attacks with overlapping runs. Achraf Hakimi is a famous example of an attacking full-back.
- Wing-back: a full-back with more attacking duties, used in systems with three centre-backs.
Midfielders
- Defensive midfielder: protects the defence, breaks up attacks and recycles possession.
- Central midfielder: links defence and attack, covering ground in both directions.
- Attacking midfielder: plays between the lines and creates chances, often wearing number 10.
- Winger: attacks down the wings, dribbles and crosses or cuts inside to shoot.
Forwards
- Centre-forward / striker: the main goalscorer, leading the line. Africa's great strikers include Samuel Eto'o, Didier Drogba and Victor Osimhen.
- Second striker: plays just behind or alongside the striker.
Positions on SSFA Online
Our player positions come from Wikidata and use broad labels such as "forward", "midfielder", "defender" or "goalkeeper", sometimes with more detail like "winger". Many players appear with more than one position because modern footballers are versatile. Browse African players or check the tallest African footballers, most of whom are goalkeepers and centre-backs.