With the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers taking place for the next few days, we’ve looked at Top 5 African players who are tearing it apart abroad. Bet on football here.
Sadio Mane
Liverpool winger Sadio continued where he left off last season with another impressive start this season. The forward has 11 goals to his name so far this term, with key strikes against Leicester City and Aston Villa ensuring the gap between his team and Manchester City remains at nine points. Mane’s impressive form throughout 2019 has been rewarded with his nomination for the Ballon d’Or. The Senegal international also had an impressive Africa Cup of Nations leading his team to the final where they narrowly lost to Algeria. The 27-year-old is definitely one of the best African players at the moment.
Habib Diallo
Senegal international Habib Diallo has been in terrific form this season with eight goals in 13 Ligue 1 appearances this season for Metz. to put that in perspective, Metz have scored just 11 goals in the league this season, which means the 24-year-old has scored 73% of their goals. He scored 26 in 42 last campaign in Ligue 2. With Metz sitting just above the relegation zone, his goals should come in handy this season. Diallo should gel quickly with Senega who have struggled to find a reliable and natural striker.
Victor Osimhen
Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has obviously filled the shoes of Nicolas Pepe who left Lille for Arsenal in the summer. The 20-year-old striker has scored nine goals in 17 appearances in all competitions this season already. Considering he’s only 20 years, that is impressive. His stunning form has quickly established himself as one of the best African players to watch in Europe this season. The Nigerian scored 12 times in 25 top-flight appearances in Belgium for Charleroi last term, after previously failing to impress at Wolfsburg. Osimhen is now in prime position to be Nigeria’s leading striker.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s record for Arsenal across all competitions is impressive. After only 78 games the Gabon international has scored 50 goals and assisted 11 more. He arrived in north London in January last year with a reputation as one of the world’s most clinical strikers and since then he’s lived up to that reputation. Despite Arsenal’s struggles, the 30-year-old has been in sensational form in the league. He has scored eight goals in 12 Premier League appearances.
Mohamed Salah
The Egypt star has not been at his best this season but has still performed decently. He has scored nine goals in 17 appearances for Liverpool this season. Salah, alongside Mane won the Premier League Golden Boot for the second time in a row in May and is set to play a leading role for Liverpool who are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table. The 27-year-old was sensational against Manchester City last weekend and will slowly get back his best if that performance was anything to go by.