Prix Marc-Vivien Foé 2023: the list of 11 finalists unveiled

Highlights: France 24 and RFI unveil, Monday, the names of the 11 players finalists of the Marc-Vivien Foé 2021 prize. The prize rewards the best African footballer who played in Ligue 1 during the 2022-2023 season. The 11 contenders to succeed the Ivorian Seko Fofana, winner of the RFI-France 24 Marc-vivien foé 2022 prize, have just been unveiled. Here is the list of the nominees in alphabetical order:Yunis ABDELHAMID, defender (Morocco/Reims) Yunis Abdelhamid.

France 24 and RFI unveil, Monday, the names of the 11 players finalists of the Marc-Vivien Foé 2021 prize, which rewards the best African footballer who played in Ligue 1 during the 2022-2023 season.

The 11 contenders to succeed the Ivorian Seko Fofana, winner of the RFI-France 24 Marc-Vivien Foé 2022 prize, have just been unveiled.

Here is the list of the 11 nominees in alphabetical order:

Yunis ABDELHAMID, defender (Morocco/Reims)

Yunis Abdelhamid. © Daniel Cole, AP

A model of regularity. Named last year, third in the standings in 2020, the captain of Stade de Reims alone embodies the stability of the Champagne club. Patron of a defense that has gone 19 consecutive games without defeat, the Atlas Lion is probably having the best season of his career at 35 years old.

Mama BALDÉ, striker (Guinea-Bissau/Troyes)

Mama Balde faces Reims and defender Yunis Abdelhamid, also named. © François Nascimbeni, AFP

At the heart of a team struggling to maintain, the Bissau-Guinean striker stands out as one of Troyes' best elements this season. It is obvious that Mama Baldé, at 27, has reached a great milestone this year, which has already seen him beat his record of goals (7) over a season and attract the attention of clubs more upscale than Troyes.

Mohamed CAMARA, midfielder (Mali/Monaco)

Mohamed Camara in the jersey of AS Monaco. © Sébastien Salom-Gomis, AFP

Arrived on tiptoe on the Rock, the Malian was scrutinized because expected as the replacement of Aurélien Tchouaméni left for Real Madrid. A few months later, Mohamed Camara, 23, proves that the Monegasque leaders were not wrong. Combative, tireless in midfield, the Eagle (re) forms a new duo of shock with Youssouf Fofana in Ligue 1.

Habib DIALLO, striker (Senegal/Strasbourg)

Habib Diallo in the jersey of RC Strasbourg. © Sebastien Bozon, AFP

Never has a Senegalese won the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize prize. Will Habib Diallo put an end to the Lions' famine? The 27-year-old Strasbourg native has never looked as strong in Ligue 1 as this season, despite his club's worries in the race to maintain. Effective scorer in the 18 meters, he carries with him the Alsatian hopes to stay in the elite.

Seko FOFANA, midfielder (Côte d'Ivoire/Lens)

Seko Fofana. © François Lo Presti, AFP

The titleholder is there to defend his property. Seko Fofana, captain and guide of RC Lens, managed another high-flying season in the image of his club candidate for a qualification to the Champions League. Recuperator, passer, and scorer, the 27-year-old Ivorian is still decisive this season with the Blood and Gold. Enough to keep his crown and achieve the double?

Achraf HAKIMI, defender (Morocco/PSG)

Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi during the match against Malawi, on January 25, 2022, in Yaoundé, Cameroon. AFP - KENZO TRIBOUILLARD

The Moroccan, one of the Atlas Lions' best players at the 2022 World Cup, is still important at PSG where he remains a starter on the right side of the defence. In his second season in the French capital, in a team of stars, he pulls out of the game with goals and assists.

Chancel MBEMBA, defender (DR Congo/Marseille)

Chancel Mbemba in the jersey of OM. © François Nascimbeni, AFP

In the demanding Marseille club, the Congolese DRC did not hang around to put the fans in his pocket. Regular defender, eye-catching, technical, and scorer in addition, Chancel Mbemba is without doubt, with the Chilean Alexis Sanchez, the best player of OM this season. At 28, will he be the second sacred Leopard, after Gaël Kakuta in 2021?

Terem MOFFI, striker (Nigeria/Nice)

Terem Moffi's magnificent bicycle facing Basel. © Stefan Vermuth, Reuters

Moved from Lorient to Nice during the season, the 23-year-old Super Eagle certainly needed some time to adapt, but did not lose his effectiveness in front of goal. Nice intends to make the Nigerian one of the heads of the gondola for its national and European ambitions; That's good, Moffi is ready to pass the big course.

Marshall MUNETSI, midfielder (Zimbabwe/Reims)

At 26 years old, the Warrior is having his best season in four years and his arrival at Stade de Reims. The Zimbabwean international is the master of the Champagne midfielder in his role of torchbearer who allows him to be effective in recovery and decisive offensively with goals and assists.

Hamari TRAORE, defender (Mali/Rennes)

Like last year, the 31-year-old Malian is among the first nominees for the Marc-Vivien Foé Award. He even finished second ahead of Morocco's Nayef Aguerd and behind Ivorian Seko Fofana. Captain and right-back of Stade Rennais, Traoré, despite an injury this season, remains the guide of the Breton club, for his sixth (and last?) season in Rennes.

Salis ABDUL SAMED, midfielder (Ghana/Lens)

In Lens, there is Seko Fofana but there is also Salis Abdul Samed. Ghanaian, tireless midfielder and ideal complement to the Ivorian captain of Lens in the midfield. The Black Star is signing a full season for its third year in France after two years at Clermont. To the delight of the Blood and Gold.

The summary of the week France 24 invites you to look back on the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news with you everywhere! Download the France 24 app