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12 African Players To Look Out For In The German Bundesliga This Season

12 African Players To Look Out For In The German Bundesliga This Season

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The German Bundesliga is an attractive European league with many international stars, including a number from Africa, taking part in the country’s top-flight competition.

The 2016-17 season in Germany is proving to be an exciting one for the fans, and even the current African Player of the Year is on hand to light up the pitches in Germany.

Here are 12 African players to look out for in the German Bundesliga this season.

Sources: ESPNFC, Soccerway, Bundesliga.

Salomon Kalou
Salomon Kalou plays for Hertha Berlin – cnn.com

Salomon Kalou

Striker Kalou has been playing at the highest level for 13 years, and current employers Bundesliga challengers Hertha Berlin enjoy the use of his services. The attacking player is a useful poacher up front, and is always dangerous for opposition defenders.

Baba Rahman
Baba Rahman is a Chelsea player, but is on loan at Schalke – Telegraph

Baba Rahman

The Ghanaian left back is currently on loan at German club Schalke 04 from English Premier League side Chelsea. The defender was a hit with Augsburg in a previous Bundesliga stint, and is comfortable playing in Germany.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is a striker for Schalke. Photo: Alchetron
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is a striker for Schalke. Photo: Alchetron

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting

Cameroon international striker Choupo-Moting represents Schalke 04 at club level, contributing to their attacking prospects with his determination, high work rate and confident runs up front. The skillful 27-year-old is certainly another of the African stars to watch in Germany.

2016 African Player of the Year award - African Goal Scorers
Aubameyang is the current African Player of the Year – en.starafrica.com

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

The Borussia Dortmund striker is the current African Player of the Year, having enjoyed an incredible time with the German club last year. His 25 goals in 31 Bundesliga games last term ensured his status as a major transfer target, while earning him a Ballon d’Or nomination.

Nabil Bentaleb playing for Algeria at the AFCON. Photo: Reddit
Nabil Bentaleb playing for Algeria at the AFCON. Photo: Reddit

Nabil Bentaleb

On loan to Schalke from English side Tottenham, Algerian midfielder Bentaleb is youngster with great potential. The 21-year-old is capable of delivering quality at club level, and has already earned 19 caps for the Fennec Foxes of Algeria.

Ibrahima Traoré is a left winger from Guinea. Photo: Taddlr
Ibrahima Traoré is a left winger from Guinea. Photo: Taddlr

Ibrahima Traoré

At 28 years old, Traoré is a Bundesliga veteran, having played in the German top-flight since 2009. He has represented the likes of Hertha Berlin, Augsburg and Stuttgart, as well as current side Borussia Mönchengladbach since 2014. The left winger from Guinea is a threat in attack, setting up and scoring goals.

Marvin Matip captains Ingolstadt. Photo: Vavel.com
Marvin Matip captains Ingolstadt. Photo: Vavel.com

Marvin Matip

The brother of Liverpool defender Joel Matip is a midfielder and captain at German Bundesliga strugglers Ingolstadt. The 31-year-old Cameroonian will be an important contributor to their relegation fight during the current season.

Sambou Yatabaré in action for Mali. Photo: Alchetron
Sambou Yatabaré in action for Mali. Photo: Alchetron

Sambou Yatabaré

Malian midfielder Yatabaré is a 27-year-old currently plying his trade at Werder Bremen in Germany. Having played in France, Greece and Belgium before a move to Bremen in 2016, he is new to German soccer, but his experience in Europe is helping him to adapt.

Leon Balogun representing the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Photo: Channels Television
Leon Balogun representing the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Photo: Channels Television

Leon Balogun

The German-born defender has represented the Nigerian national team on a handful of occasions, but it is with German Bundesliga club side Mainz that he hopes to do great things. At 28, he is experienced, having played professional soccer in Germany since 2007.

Bordeaux defender Lamine Sané. Photo: AfricaFootballShop
Bordeaux defender Lamine Sané. Photo: AfricaFootballShop

Lamine Sané

Senegal international midfielder Sane is a new member of the Werder Bremen team, having transferred from Bordeaux in France in the transfer window. The 29-year-old will need to fight for a place in the team, and once he gets comfortable and begins to perform like he can, he will no doubt impress.

Guinean Naby Keïta in action. Photo: UEFA.com
Guinean Naby Keïta in action. Photo: UEFA.com

Naby Keïta

The 21-year-old midfielder from Conakry in Guinea made his debut for the national team at the age of 19, and he continues to show excellent potential and maturity despite his youth. Having transferred to RB Leipzig from Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, he has quickly earned a reputation for goalscoring in the German Bundesliga.

Werder Bremen's Senegalese player Fallou Diagne. Photo: Kreiszeitung
Werder Bremen’s Senegalese player Fallou Diagne. Photo: Kreiszeitung

Fallou Diagne

The 27-year-old Werder Bremen defender was born in Dakar, and represents the Teranga Lions of Senegal on the international stage, having made his debut for the West African nation this year.