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The 10 African Nominees For The Marc Vivien Foe Award

The 10 African Nominees For The Marc Vivien Foe Award

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A selection of ten African players have been nominated for the Marc Vivien Foe Award, which recognises the best player from the continent based on their performances in the French Ligue 1 over the season. The award is named after the Cameroonian midfielder who tragically died on the pitch during a FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final for the Indomitable Lions in June 2003.  AFKSports examines the group of footballers who have been shortlisted as the best African performers in France.

Jordan Ayew
Jordan Ayew – africatopsports.com

Jordan Ayew – Ghana (Lorient)

The younger of the two Ayew brothers has made the list after his fine performances for Lorient, the club he joined in 2014 from Marseille. The 23-year-old has been in scintillating form, scoring 13 goals in his 35 appearances thus far for the club based in Brittany.

www.getfootballnewsfrance.com
www.getfootballnewsfrance.com

Andre Ayew – Ghana (Marseille)

The Ghana midfield maestro has been in the news of late because of constant transfer rumours and interest from clubs all over Europe, and it seems unlikely that he will remain in the Ligue 1 next season due to the offers that will come at the end of the season, but none of that would be possible if it were not for the great play he has displayed at Marseille.

onlyfootball.fr
onlyfootball.fr

Aymen Abdennour – Tunisia (Monaco)

The Tunisian central defender is one of two Monaco players from North Africa on this list, and has earned his spot after textbook defensive work for the club from the principality over the last season. He is recognised for his versatility, as he is able to play at the back or on the left wing, his preferred position.

Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria)
Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria) – thenet.ng

Vincent Enyeama – Nigeria (Lille) 

Nigerian captain Enyeama won the award last season, and is in a good position to repeat the feat, following his excellent performances in goal for club side Lille. He recorded his 100th cap for the Super Eagles against Uganda recently, and continues to be a pillar of strength for club and country.

africatopsports.com
africatopsports.com

Nabil Dirar – Monaco (Monaco)

The second Monaco player on the Marc Vivien Foe Award shortlist is Dirar, a left winger who has been at the club since 2012 when he signed for a record €7.5million, the highest transfer fee ever received by Club Brugge. Despite a cruciate ligament injury at the end of last season, he has bounced back to reach this top 10 list.

Max Gradel
Max Gradel – tranmererovers.co.uk

 

Max Gradel – Cote D’Ivoire (Saint Etienne)

The Ivorian speedster has been putting his footballing attributes to good use in France for club side Saint Etienne, scoring 10 goals and setting up two in Ligue 1 action this season. The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champion missed a number of games while at the Nations Cup, but returned from the competition in stunning form.

Idrissa Gueye
Idrissa Gueye – teamtalk.com

 

Idrissa Gueye – Senegal (Lille)

The Senegalese midfielder is not a regular with his national team, but at Lille he has been a stalwart, with the 25-year-old showing his ability and making sure that his three goals this season have been important, all coming in the second half of games. Gueye provides the club with their second entry on the list following keeper Enyeama.

Aissa Mandi
Aissa Mandi – footballfancast.com

 

Aissa Mandi – Algeria (Reims)

Mandi is only 23 years old, but his maturity and composure at the back belies his age, providing Reims with a solid defensive pillar to rely on. The confidence he gained playing for Algeria in the 2014 World Cup has been visible during this season in Ligue 1.

Benjamin Moukandjo
Benjamin Moukandjo – caughtoffside.com

 

Benjamin Moukandjo – Cameroon (Reims)

One of two Cameroonians on the list, Moukandjo is Mandi’s team-mate at Reims, and has done well to showcase his talents in attack. While it is likely that this award will go to Enyeama or Andre Ayew when all is said and done, the Cameroon international’s five goals in 12 appearances is impressive reading.

Clinton N'jie
Clinton N’jie – sport.fr

Clinton N’Jie – Cameroon (Lyon)

The second player from Cameroon to be nominated is N’Jie. The Lyon striker has been touted as a potential heir to Samuel Eto’o in attack for the Indomitable Lions, and while that is not an easy path to follow, N’Jie is very composed for a 21-year-old and has been impressive for his French club during the current campaign.