Mercato 2022: focus on ten African players free of any contract
Ivorian right-back Serge Aurier, in Douala, Cameroon during the CAN, January 26, 2022. AP - Themba Hadebe
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
3 mins
The football transfer market is in full swing.
If several African stars like Sadio Mané, Franck Kessié or Sébastien Haller have easily found new clubs, some find themselves without a contract in July 2022. Focus on ten of them.
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SERGE AURIER
The captain of the Ivory Coast team will only have spent a few months at Villarreal.
The Spanish club preferred to end their collaboration.
Result: the right side finds himself again without training, a year after leaving Tottenham.
The 29-year-old defender has the advantage of being known in several leagues (England, Spain, France, etc.) where his leadership and versatility would be assets.
RYAD BOUDEBOUZ
All good things come to an end but this one is not always happy.
The Algerian learned it the hard way with the relegation of AS Saint-Etienne to the French second division (Ligue 2).
As a result, the attacking midfielder, who had reached the end of his contract, did not extend his adventure with the Greens.
The 32-year-old player, who played in France and Spain, will he try an experience in a new country?
FARID BOULAYA
Boudebouz-Boulaya, same fight.
Like his compatriot, the playmaker experienced a descent into Ligue 2, with FC Metz.
A second level where the person concerned should not evolve, his contract with the Lorraine club having expired.
At 29, the right-hander should have no trouble finding a new employer.
SOULEYMANE DOUKARA
The Mauritanian has been without a club for four months and has been sidelined by Turkish side Giresunspor.
At 30, this striker who can also play winger has already played in Italy, England, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
But never as a professional in France, his country of birth.
GABASKI
Mohamed Qotb Abou Gabal Ali di “Gabaski” lived the most paradoxical season ever.
Hero of the Egyptian team during CAN 2021, the goalkeeper was however no longer a starter in Zamalek.
As a result, the 33-year-old doorman finds himself at the end of his contract and free to commit where he wants when his rating is at its highest.
ZAKARIA LABYAD
At 29, the Dutch-speaker must ask himself the right questions and make the right choices.
He has just spent four seasons at Ajax Amsterdam where he played little, especially the last, almost white.
His return to the Moroccan national team will depend on a possible rebound.
OPA NGUETTE
Like Boulaya, the Senegalese's Metz adventure ended with a fall in Ligue 2. The one who was born in France is certainly used to climbing between the first and second division since he had already experienced relegations with Valenciennes and Metz.
But at 28, the left winger undoubtedly aspires to better, he who has also never played in the final phase with the Senegal team.
NICOLAS NKOULOU
The former great hope of Cameroonian football and former captain of the Indomitable Lions is again without a contract.
His experience at Watford, England, came to an end, in particular due to an injury.
Marked by several family dramas, the defender today seems far from his best years, in Marseille and with Cameroon (three CANs and two World Cups).
But at 32, his experience can still be of great service.
ANDRE POKO
Will the midfielder continue his tour of Turkish clubs?
Where will Altay SK be the Gabonese's last experience in this country?
The former resident of the Girondins de Bordeaux has every interest in finding a good base in order to maintain his status in the national team, he who recently wore the captain's armband of the Panthers.
ADAMA NOSS TRAORE
At 27, the ex-prodigy of Malian football never stops chaining clubs: seven in four different countries since 2014. His experience at Hatayspor in Turkey is over.
Will the attacking midfielder finally find the stability he needs?
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