- Tweeter
republish
The European championships resume one after the other, in this month of August. The opportunity for RFI to introduce you to ten African players to follow, on the Old Continent, during this season 2019-2020.
Ismaël BENNACER (Algeria)
In Italy, the 21-year-old midfielder did not wait for the 2019 African Cup of Nations to be known. The new African champion and best player of the last CAN already enjoyed an excellent reputation after two great seasons with Empoli. Transferred to AC Milan, the runner must help the "Rossoneri" to find the podium of the Italian championship.
Saido BERAHINO (Burundi)
At 26, the former great hope of English football, became the star of his native Burundi, left his adopted island. The one who wore the colors of five British clubs exiled in Belgium, on the side of Zulte Waregem, a club that saw many great African players parade. Will the Burundian draw inspiration to revive his promising career?
Denis BOUANGA (Gabon)
The 24-year-old winger continues his wise progression to the top level. After having made the joy of Lorient and Nîmes, the Gabonese is still mounted a notch by joining the AS Saint-Etienne, this summer. His relationship (to perfect) with Algerian Ryad Boudebouz and Tunisian Wahbi Khazri could spark in the Championship of France, although the beginnings in Dijon were shy.
Idrissa GANA GUEYE (Senegal)
Rarely has a defensive midfielder been so much expected as the providential man. The PSG was desperately looking for a recuperator and, although it does not always excel in this area, the Senegalese hopes to take up the challenge. Because, at 30, leaving Everton (England) for Paris represents the biggest challenge of the "Lion of Teranga".
Joël MATIP (Cameroon)
During his first three seasons in Liverpool, the central defender has had both highs and lows. And it seems that the 2019-2020 exercise is no exception to the rule. If in 2018-2019, he took advantage of an injury of Joe Gomez to move in the axis alongside the exceptional Virgil van Dijk, the Cameroonian will still have to fight to prove that he has his place among the "Reds", as the holder.
Victor OSIMHEN (Nigeria)
The 20-year-old striker has launched his adventure in Lille with a victorious double against Nantes in the Ligue 1 championship. He has been labeled a great prospect since a 2015 U-17 World Cup won by Nigeria and he finished top scorer. After a shy passage in Wolfsburg (Germany) then another convincing in Charleroi (Belgium), the "Super Eagle" has the opportunity to cross a new level, in Ligue 1.
Nicolas PÉPÉ (Ivory Coast)
The Ivorian will have to digest and assume: his superb season spent with Lille, concluded by the Marc-Vivien Foé 2019 Award ; his African Cup of Nations failed with the "Elephants"; and a transfer that cost Arsenal 80 million euros and makes Pepe the most expensive African player in history. The 24-year-old winger is attacking the 2019-2020 exercise with a lot of pressure on his shoulders.
Percy TAU (South Africa)
The new South African star continues to learn European football in Belgium. After being voted the best Belgian second division player with the Union Saint-gilloise, the 25-year-old striker defends this season the Club Brugge colors in the first division (Pro League). The one that is lent to the Bruggeens by the English club Brighton & Hove Albion has all the future winner of the ebony shoe, the trophy awarded to the best African (or African-born player) Pro League.
Mahmoud HASSAN " TREZEGUET " (Egypt)
Impressive during the 2019 CAN, the 24-year-old winger was recruited by Aston Villa this summer. The promoted in the first league (Premier League) relies heavily on the complicity between Trezeguet and his compatriot Ahmed El Mohamady, on the right flank, to hurt the opponents defenses and help the "Villans" to stay in the Premier League.
Hakim ZIYECH (Morocco)
Against all odds, the playmaker extended his contract with Ajax Amsterdam until 2022, instead of joining a more lucrative and up-to-date championship. Simple strategy of the Dutch club to then sell Ziyech at a higher price? Or real will to rely on a player become a manager? Following the sensational transfers of defender Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, the Moroccan seems to have more than ever to assume a role of boss among the "Lancers". A challenge not so simple as that to take up, the wait being huge after the incredible course of the Dutch formation in the Champions League.