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15 Players With African Heritage In The Euro 2016 Final

15 Players With African Heritage In The Euro 2016 Final

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The UEFA Euro 2016 final will be played in Paris on Sunday night, with hosts France facing Portugal in the title match to decide the champions of Europe, and both teams boast a selection of players who have African heritage.

France managed to defeat Germany 2-0 on Thursday evening to secure their place in the final, while Portugal beat Wales by the same score line a day earlier.

Whether through birth or due to their parents, a number of players for both the Portuguese and the French have strong ties to the African continent.

The likes of France’s Samuel Umiti and Blaise Matuidi were born in Cameroon and Angola respectively, while others within the squad had parents who were born in Africa before moving to Europe.

William Carvahlo and Nani of Portugal were born in Angola and Cape Verde respectively, while Éder and Danilo Pereira were both born in Guinea-Bissau.

But despite their birth right to represent their African national teams, they chose to feature for Portugal, and have done well to reach the Euro 2016 final.

With 15 players who have earned the right to play in Euro 2016 final on Sunday, we take a look at each of them and which African country they could be representing if they had not decided on their European national teams.

Source: Eurosport, UEFA, TheIndependent, TheGuardian, Telegraph.

Renato Sanches is a Portugal starlet
Renato Sanches is a Portugal starlet – skysports.com

Renato Sanches

At Euro 2016 they are representing: Portugal

African team that they could have represented: Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe

Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is a French international – espn.co.uk

Paul Pogba

At Euro 2016 they are representing: France

African team that they could have represented: Guinea

William Carvalho
Carvalho was born in Angola – thepeoplesperson.com

William Carvalho

At Euro 2016 they are representing: Portugal

African team that they could have represented: Angola

N’Golo Kanté
A star is born in N’Golo Kanté – dailymail.co.uk

N’Golo Kanté

At Euro 2016 they are representing: France

African team that they could have represented: Mali

Danilo Pereira
Danilo Pereira of Portugal – express.co.uk

Danilo Pereira

At Euro 2016 they are representing: Portugal

African team that they could have represented: Guinea

France's Samuel Umiti was born in Cameroon
France’s Samuel Umiti was born in Cameroon – theguardian.com

Samuel Umiti

At Euro 2016 they are representing: France

African team that they could have represented: Cameroon

Portugal international Éder
Portugal international Éder – (EPA/MIGUEL A. LOPES)

Éder

At Euro 2016 they are representing: Portugal

African team that they could have represented: Guinea-Bissau

Bacary Sagna
Bacary Sagna is a veteran French player – africatopsports.com

Bacary Sagna

At Euro 2016 they are representing: France

African team that they could have represented: Senegal

Patrice Evra
Patrice Evra is as experienced as they come – huffingtonpost.co.uk

Patrice Evra

At Euro 2016 they are representing: France

African team that they could have represented: Senegal

Moussa Sissoko of France
Moussa Sissoko of France – themag.co.uk

Moussa Sissoko

At Euro 2016 they are representing: France

African team that they could have represented: Mali

Adil Rami
Adil Rami could be playing for Morocco – sport.fr

Adil Rami

At Euro 2016 they are representing: France

African team that they could have represented: Morocco

Luis Nani
Luis Nani has been a great contributor for Portugal – express.co.uk

Luis Nani

At Euro 2016 they are representing: Portugal

African team that they could have represented: Cape Verde

Blaise Matuidi
French international of Angolan descent, Blaise Matuidi – basketsession.com

Blaise Matuidi

At Euro 2016 they are representing: France

African team that they could have represented: Angola

Steve Mandanda
Steve Mandanda will be backup keeper – Goal

Steve Mandanda

At Euro 2016 they are representing: France

African team that they could have represented: Congo

Eliaquim Mangala
France international Eliaquim Mangala – bloomberg.com

Eliaquim Mangala

At Euro 2016 they are representing: France

African team that they could have represented: DR Congo