As the 2021-22 football season starts across all continents, we will profile the top five African players to watch in the continent’s premier leagues.
Let’s start with Achraf Hakimi,
At the age of just 22, Hakimi has experience in four of Europe’s most prestigious clubs, including Real Madrid and Internazionale, where he won Serie A last season.
Following his £51.3 million move from Inter Milan, he might become the world’s best right-back this season after scoring a stunning goal on his PSG debut against Troyes.
On to Villareal’s Samuel Chukwueze,
(Image Credit: Africa Top Sports)
Samuel Chukwueze missed the Europa League and Super Cup final due to Injury, but he will be gearing up for the new season as Unai Emery leads the Villareal team to compete in the La Liga and UCL campaign.
It is impossible to dispute his speed, confidence, or movement, and he is dangerous when cutting in from the right flank on his left foot. For a guy who, at 22, should be taking his game to new heights, seven goals and four assists over the last two LaLiga seasons isn’t enough.
We are rooting for Chukwueze who has also gotten the attention of Premier League clubs, with Everton interested in adding him to their squad.
Heard of Amine Gouiri,
French-Algerian sensation Gouiri, who scored 16 goals in Ligue 1 and the Europa League last season, is going to be a must watch player in the 2021/2022 Ligue 1 Season.
It is said to be a bargain for the €7 million OGC Nice paid Olympique Lyonnais to sign him. It has been verified by OGC Nice forward Amine Gouiri (21) in an interview with Le Dauphiné Libéré that manager Christophe Galtier has instructed him to move from left-wing to centre-forward this season.
The fact that he told me that I’ll be playing in the middle of the field this season is encouraging because that’s my favoured position.”
We Move to Napoli’s Victor Osimhen,
(Image Credit: ESPN)
As for Osimhen’s Serie A debut, it wasn’t all roses for the Nigerian international, who just about won over the Napoli supporters despite not quite living up to the lofty expectations that surrounded his purchase from LOSC Lille.
Despite his 10 goals, Osimhen must continue to improve, especially without previous coach Gennaro Gattuso, who was terminated in May.
Edin Dzeko, Mauro Icardi, and Francesco Totti have all thrived under new Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti, and Osimhen’s preseason play speaks well.
Now to the final must watch African on our list, we have Arnaut Danjuma
Europa League kings Villarreal have announced the signing of Arnaut Danjuma has joined the Europa League Champions Villarreal after playing for English Championship side Bournemouth for two seasons.
The 24-year-old winger joins Villarreal on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee. With this move, Danjuma – who is eligible to represent Nigeria at the international level – will remain at Estadio de la Ceramica until 2026.
His presence in the La Liga side would serve as a major boost for Unai Emery’s squad.
