Marc-Vivien Foé Prize 2020: the 11 nominated to succeed Nicolas Pépé

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On June 29, Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France 24 will announce the name of the winner of the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize, which rewards the best African player in the French Championship (Ligue 1). Here are the eleven candidates for the succession of the Ivorian Nicolas Pépé.

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Yunis ABDELHAMID (Morocco / Stade de Reims) - Defender

The "Lion of the Atlas" is one of the great craftsmen of 6th place in Reims in the ranking. So much so that the Moroccan figure in the typical team of the season established by the magazine France Football and was the defender best rated by the newspaper L'Équipe . The 32-year-old player could finally discover the European Cup, his club being on the brink of participation in the Europa League.

Denis BOUANGA (Gabon / AS Saint-Etienne) - Forward

Arriving from Nîmes last summer, the 25-year-old Gabonese had a little trouble adjusting the first weeks. Then he resumed the rhythm of past seasons. Result: the versatile striker finished with 10 goals and 3 assists in 26 Ligue 1 games. With the "Greens", he reached another level. It now seems to arouse the lusts of more upscale clubs.

Andy DELORT (Algeria / Montpellier HSC) - Forward

The African champion continued his momentum, after a radiant summer with the Algerian selection. He certainly scored less than last season, with 9 goals in 26 games against 14 registered in 36 games during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. But the 28-year-old striker seems perfectly fulfilled in his native region.

Habib DIALLO (Senegal / FC Metz) - Forward

The former resident of Génération Foot perpetuates the tradition of talented Senegalese who have gone through the Metz club, from Jules Bocandé to Ismaïla Sarr via Papiss Cissé or Sadio Mané. After helping Metz move up to Ligue 1 in 2019, the 24-year-old center-forward helped keep him in the first division, with 12 goals in 26 games.

Idrissa GUEYE (Senegal / Paris SG) - Midfielder

Rarely has a defensive player been expected as much in a major club. Even if he is not a pure defensive midfielder, the Senegalese aged 30, recruited last summer in Everton (England), filled a glaring shortage in this position, with constancy, application and ardor. To the point of quickly attracting the sympathy of the supporters of PSG.

Edouard MENDY (Senegal / Stade rennais) - Goalkeeper

The "Lions of Teranga" are spoiled. With Mendy and Alfred Gomis, they have two excellent goalkeepers in Ligue 1. Gomis could also have been on this list if he hadn't injured himself in early February. The goalkeeper of the Stade Rennes, in any case, has confirmed with Rennes his fine performances from the seasons spent in Reims.

M'Baye NIANG (Senegal / Stade rennais) - Forward

At 25, the former great hope of French football has certainly not confirmed its full potential. But in Rennes, the one who opted for the Senegalese selection demonstrated that he was an imposing striker, with 10 goals in particular. What pique the interest of other clubs, again?

Victor OSIMHEN (Nigeria / Lille LOSC) - Forward

Will the Nigerian be the fifth Lille winner to be the best African player in Ligue 1, after Gervinho (2010, 2011), Vincent Enyeama (2014), Sofiane Boufal (2016) and Nicolas Pépé (2019)? The 21-year-old center-forward in any case illustrates the LOSC's ability to find nuggets. With 13 goals and 4 assists in 27 games, the "Super Eagle" more than met expectations.

Moses SIMON (Nigeria / FC Nantes) - Midfielder / Forward

Loaned by Levante, the Nigerian signed up for 4 years with Nantes where he has just been elected player of the season. This eccentric midfielder / twirling winger, aged 24, has split 5 goals and 5 assists in Ligue 1. Among the "Canaries", the one who has already passed through the Netherlands, Slovakia, Belgium and Spain, may be able to find the stability that will allow it to become essential in the "Super Eagles".

Islam SLIMANI (Algeria / AS Monaco) - Forward

We knew the Algerian for his precious goals and his ceaseless efforts, in Portugal, England and Turkey. With ASM, we discovered his technical finesse and his sense of the assist (8 for 9 achievements). The African champion has formed a beautiful duo with Wissam Ben Yedder. But, despite high-class performances, the 31-year-old did not always have the confidence of the new Monegasque coach, Robert Moreno.

Hamari TRAORÉ (Mali / Stade Rennes) - Defender

Good side backs don't run the streets. So Rennes will no doubt have to insist on keeping the Malian. Especially since at 28 years old and after three seasons in Brittany, this straight side full of drive aspires to pass a course. Unless the prospect of competing in the Champions League pushes him to extend the adventure with the "Red and Black" ...

Marc-Vivien Foé Prize 2020: the 11 named in pictures

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NB : Players who have worn the colors of an African national team and have played at least 15 matches in Ligue 1 during the 2019-2020 season are eligible for the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize.

WHY A MARC-VIVIEN FOÉ 2020 AWARD?

Like every year, RFI and France 24 have decided to elect the best African player in our Ligue 1. Of course, with the end of the championship in mid-March, we asked ourselves whether or not to maintain the Prix Marc -Vivien Foé in this very special season. With only 28 days contested, the season is much shorter than expected, but long enough, it seems to us, to be able to compare the performances of the players who distinguished themselves there.
To be honest, we seemed unfair not to assign and deprive players, some will leave perhaps France shortly, reward their efforts and their talents. And then, even if the championship was too short, all the players concerned by this Prize are on an equal footing. Obviously, this decision could cause controversy. But we had to decide and we opted for the solution which aims to highlight the competition and the game ...

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