Another season has just started, and taking into account the new signings, football fans are anticipating a ton from the new players in each team. Nonetheless, there are a few African players who moved from their team to others, anticipating to make a difference. After a thorough survey, ESPN have gathered some African players to keep an eye out for this season.
The appearance of Seri, as well as a few other imperative signings, is perhaps a good one, prone to make the season an intriguing one.
For sure, it was only quite a while back that Barcelona had concurred an arrangement with Nice for the profound lying playmaker just for Les Aiglons to renege on the deal and keep the Ivorian on the Riviera.
A transition to Fulham was definitely an error – – and cost him his greatest years – – yet the tasteful passmaster showed in the Championship last season that he can deal with life in English football and force himself on challenges in the mud-and-vexes division.
It’s something of an unexpected that Fulham picked not to take up a decision on the humble Seri for their mission in the English Premier League, and a considerably more prominent one that he chose to stay in the Championship with Hull.
The African contingent at Ajax Amsterdam has significantly reduced this season, with enormous names Sebastien Haller, Noussair Mazraoui and Andre Onana having left for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Internazionale respectively.
In their nonappearance comes Bassey, new off a magnificent season at Rangers, where he made something happen after at first being shamed for going to a lockdown party in February 2021.
Like Nigeria partner Joe Aribo, he was powerful as Rangers arrived at the last of the UEFA Europa League, and like his fellow Super Eagles international, Bassey has also secured a high-profile move away from Glasgow.
Bassey’s key resources are his pace, particularly in recovery; his physique; and his versatility. Like Mazraoui, he’s capable of fulfilling multiple roles in the defensive unit, while at 22 he still has room to grow.
The former Leicester City youth player isn’t the finished package yet – – there are hesitations about his ability to pass at the most elevated level – – however Ajax have a lot of chance to deal with any specialized inadequacies.
While Aribo, Bassey and Leon Balogun have every single left Ranger, and Nnamdi Ofoborh’s future is dubious because of heart issues, Zambia’s Sakala keeps on representing Africa at Ibrox.
Bits of hearsay connected him with a move to Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo and AJ Auxerre, but the 25-year-old seems quick to stay in Scotland and expand on a precarious first season.
He attempted to lay down a good foundation for himself in the Gers’ first eleven (XI) – – making only 15 starts in all competitions – – yet he played a part in 19 goals through the campaign, and prevailed upon certain admirers with his energy if not his performance.
He may take inspiration from Bassey, who built on an iffy first season to endear himself to Rangers fans, and a lack of other striking options in Glasgow should give Sakala a six-month opening — at least — in which he can prove he does belong at the 55-time Scottish champions.
The List Of Some African Players To Make A Difference This Season:
Mohammed Kudus:
Much is expected from Kudus as Ajax look to retain the Dutch league crown and have an impact in continental competitions.
The 21-year-old couldn’t genuinely expand on his reassuring 20-21 season, as injury scourged his campaign – – costing him participation at the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana, but still succeeded in pre-season.
In spite of being used in different roles under new coach Alfred Schreuder, Kudus has scored three goals in three matches as new-look Ajax have arranged for the campaign to come.
In fact, eye-catching has Kudus been in an advanced role, particularly in tandem with Steven Bergwijn, that Schreuder has hinted that he’s considering using the Right to Dream Academy graduate as a striker this season.
Ibrahim Sangare:
Linked to some of Europe’s biggest clubs in 2020, when he was relegated with Toulouse, Sangare made a questionable move to join PSV Eindhoven.
The defensive midfielder has matured as he enters his mid-20s, impressing with his rangy running through the heart of the park, his work with the ball, and his tough tackling.
The 193cm powerhouse is heavily linked with a move to the Premier League — Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City are all understood to be monitoring his situation — but new PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy insists the midfielder is committed to the Boeren.
As Sangare blossoms into a player who can carry the ball forward and create problems in the final third, expect parallels with compatriot Yaya Toure to increase.
One day, Sangare will surely have the opportunity to make his mark in the Premier League as well.
Maduka Okoye:
There’s a lot of African interest at Watford, with changes anticipated this season from the likes of Imran Louza (Morocco) and Hassane Kamara (Ivory Coast) as well as Nigerians William Troost-Ekong and Samuel Kalu.
Emmanuel Dennis could be a frightening possibility in the second level, although clearly he’ll be off before the window closes, with Nottingham Forest, Everton, West Ham United and Newcastle United all purportedly interested in the Super Eagles international.
One player who will not be leaving Vicarage Road this late spring is Nigeria goalkeeper Okoye, who was enlisted from Sparta Rotterdam in November 2021, but now has a fight on his hands to replace Daniel Bachmann between the sticks.
Head coach Rob Edwards has indicated that Bachmann will begin the season as his No. 1, but this is hardly sustainable for the Super Eagles’ first-choice keeper and such a situation could create further goalkeeping uncertainty for the Nigeria national team.
Tarik Tissoudali:
One of the revelations of African football last term, Tissoudali won the Ebony Shoe for the Belgian Pro League’s best African player or player of African origin, having had a hand in 24 goals in 29 games for KAA Gent.
He also made his Morocco debut during the Nations Cup, having been a late replacement in the squad for Abde Ezzalzouli, and scored in both legs of the successful World Cup playoff against Congo DR.
The winger is a late bloomer — he was playing in the French amateur divisions as recently as 2016-17 — but will now take up a key role for the Atlas Lions at the World Cup.
However, will he still be on Gent’s books by the time the tournament rolls around?
There’s reported interest from Qatar, although the Belgian club’s owners aren’t keen to part ways with the 29-year-old, who scored in Gent’s opening 2-2 draw with Standard Liege in preseason.
Onuachu:
One of the main challengers for Gent this season will be Racing Genk, who finished just behind them in the Conference League Playoff group last year, and will be determined to force their way into the title mix.
They can call upon an all-Nigerian strike force of Dessers and Onuachu as they go in search of a fifth league title — and a first since 2019 — and the duo appear to be a sure-fire route to goal for the Blauw-Wit.
Dessers is returning to Belgium with a point to prove after making several meaningful contributions to Feyenoord Rotterdam as they reached the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference final last term, but will be desperate to improve his goal-to-game ratio in the Belgian Pro League.
Onuachu is struggling with injury as the season gets underway, but the towering frontman will be targeting 20+ goals during the campaign, having struck 19 in the league in 21-22.
Ismaila Sarr:
Sarr has to do some work rebuilding his reputation this term, having lost his way amidst Watford’s relegation from the Premier League last season.
Two years ago, Sarr’s name was on a three-man transfer target shortlist drawn up by Liverpool as they looked to add an extra element to their famous forward line.
Terms couldn’t be agreed — Watford had set a £40 million price tag — and Jurgen Klopp, who had been impressed by Sarr’s performance in February 2020, when his two goals had ended the Merseysiders’ undefeated run, ultimately recruited Diogo Jota.
Sarr remained at Watford and inspired them to promotion in 2021 — winning admirers as he knuckled down in the second tier — and he had a hand in 17 goals as the Hornets returned to the Premier League.
However, he lost his way in the Premier League last term — rarely showing his best form — with injuries and a successful Africa Cup of Nations campaign limiting his participation.
He’s again being linked with a transfer — Everton and West Ham United are both reportedly circling — but Watford are keen to recoup the €35 million they paid Rennes for Sarr in 2019 so don’t be surprised if the Senegalese again has to rebuild his reputation in the Championship.
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