12 African Players To Look Out For In The French Ligue 1 This Season
The French Ligue 1 enjoys a long history of attracting quality soccer players from all over Africa, especially from West Africa, where French is a major language spoken throughout the region.
The 2016-17 season in France is proving to be exciting, with players from the continent determined to contribute quality performances for their French clubs in the top-flight.
Here are 12 African players to look out for in the French Ligue 1 this season.
Sources: BBCSport, UEFA, Ligue1.
Clinton N’Jie
On loan to Marseille from English club Tottenham Hotspur, the young Cameroon striker has been touted as a potential heir to Samuel Eto’o in attack for the Indomitable Lions, and continues to impress in France.
Benjamin Moukandjo
Another Cameroonian on the list, Moukandjo was on fire in the French league last season, with 13 goals for FC Lorient from a total of 57 shots taken during his 31 Ligue 1 appearances in 2015-16. The 27-year-old Indomitable Lion has been nominated for the 2016 African Player of the Year award.
Nabil Dirar
Monaco player and former Marc Vivien Foe Award nominee Dirar is a left winger who has been at the club since 2012. Despite a cruciate ligament injury at the end of the 2014-15 season, the Moroccan has bounced back to become a top performer in France.
Vincent Enyeama
Former Nigerian captain Enyeama has been consistently delivering excellent performances in goal for club side Lille over the past few seasons. The goalkeeper continues to be a pillar of strength for the club, winning the Marc Vivien Foe award a few seasons ago.
Serge Aurier
One of the few defenders to be nominated for the African Player of the Year award, Paris Saint-Germain back Serge Aurier has been an important performer for the capital club, using his power, pace and composure to stop opposition attacks while relaunching counterattacks for his team.
Rachid Ghezzal
Lyon’s Algerian winger Ghezzal came close to winning the Marc Vivien Foe award this year, thanks to his continued top performances for the club. The 24-year-old younger brother of fellow Algeria international Abdelkader Ghezzal puts his skills to good use in France.
Cheikh N’Doye
Angers’ midfielder from Senegal, N’Doye, has been one of the players to watch in recent seasons. The 30-year-old has not been a regular for the Senegalese national team, with a great deal of competition in the squad, but he has been important for Angers.
Nicolas Nkoulou
The 26-year-old Cameroonian defender for Lyon is a new arrival to the club, having joined from rivals Marseille at the start of the season, following five years at their opponents. His experience in Ligue 1 shows in his consistency and comfort, which translates into excellent performances.
Ryad Boudebouz
The Montpellier player is already on the ball in Ligue 1, with a four goals scored in his first 10 appearances in the French top-flight. The Algerian 26-year-old has played in France during his entire career, spending time with Sochaux and Bastia before a successful move to his current club.
Famara Diedhiou
The 23-year-old Senegalese striker is trying to do what so many other players from his homeland have done in France, develop a successful career. He has done well thus far this season at Angers, getting on the scoresheet and inspiring confidence in his abilities.
Adama Traoré
The Monaco midfielder previously played for Lille in the French top-flight, and at only 21 years of age, the Malian is quickly showing that he has bags of talent to confirm the stunning four-goal showing he made as a member of the Mali Under-20 side at the 2015 U-20 World Cup in New Zealand last year.
Ryan Mendes
The Cape Verde international plays as a winger for Lille, and the 26-year-old is a very skillful and speedy option for the French side to play on the wing. Mendes will not be at the 2017 AFCON come January, as his national team did not qualify for the tournament, which is good news for Lille.