African countries are increasingly becoming top destinations for footballing talents. While conflicts are still aplenty in the continent, there are countries that have been able to produce world-class talents every year.
Off the top of the hat, you can remember the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Toure, Kolo Toure and Jay-Jay Okocha in recent years being the ambassadors of African football. They all achieved great things in their careers and played for some of the biggest clubs in world football.
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Also read: Most valuable South American XI
But who are the top African performers in today’s footballing scene? Here’s looking at the most valuable African XI currently playing in leagues all over the world: (Valuations are according to transfermarkt.com)
Goalkeeper
Africa hasn’t exactly been famous for producing goalkeepers in football but have given the world a few ones capable of mixing it with the best once in a while. As it stands, currently, the most valuable goalkeeper to come out of the CAF countries is Malaga’s Carlos Kameni.
The 32-year-old has spent the majority of his senior career in the La Liga with Espanyol and now with Malaga – having joined them in 2012. Kameni is valued at €5 million and is also the oldest player to appear on this list.
Kameni has had his share of spoils in his career having won the Copa del Rey with Espanyol in 2005/2006. He’s also won an Olympic medal with his home country Cameroon in Sydney in 2000. Kameni is a regular with Malaga this season having made 15 appearances in all competitions.
Defence
Africa puts up a decent back-four when in comparison to their European and South American counterparts. A host of European clubs regularly scout African academies for defenders given their natural strength and engine.
At left back, we have Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam as the first member of this back four. The Algerian has been one of the standout full-backs to come out of the African confederation of countries in recent years and is a real asset for the Serie A side as they chase a league title this season. Ghoulam is valued at €15 million.
The left-sided centre-back on this list is also a Napoli player and someone who’s regularly linked with a move to some of the biggest clubs in the world. Senegal’s 25-year-old Kalidou Koulibaly is a sensational centre-back capable of shutting down the best of forwards with his pace, strength and ability to read the game at a much quicker pace. Koulibaly is valued at €30 million making him the second most valuable player on this list.
Koulibaly’s partner at the heart of the defence is a young and upcoming talent of whom a lot is expected. Manchester United’s Eric Bailly might not have been the go-to name before the start of the current season but given the way he’s played for Jose Mourinho, nobody can write him off now. Bailly is currently valued at €25 million and at 22 years of age, is currently the youngest player to appear on this list.
The right-back on this list is Paris Saint-Germain’s Serge Aurier. Once touted as one of the best young full-backs in the game, the 24-year-old has since let disciplinary issues on and off the field affect his play. He’s still an excellent player and should he purge himself of these distractions, can go on to live up to his true potential. Aurier is currently valued at €15 million.
Midfield
Having decided to go with a 4-1-3-2 system to fit in the most valuable African footballers, this slide will have the four midfielders who make the team – one central holding midfielder and the three attacking midfielders who sit ahead of him.
No one is currently playing the central holding role in the English Premier League better than Tottenham Hotspur’s Victor Wanyama. Ever since signing from Southampton last season, the Kenyan has been exquisite for Mauricio Pochettino’s men. He’s currently valued at €15 million and is one of the best defensive midfielders in the league.
Ahead of Wanyama are three attacking midfielders. We start from the left attacking midfielder, who in this case is Liverpool’s bargain superstar, Sadio Mane. The 24-year-old is easily one of the best wingers in the Premier League. His searing pace, eye for goal and engine have given Jurgen Klopp’s men another dimension when attacking. Mane is valued at €30 million and is the only the second Senegalese player to make this list – along with Koulibaly.
At the centre of the attacking three is Southampton’s Sofiane Boufal. The Moroccan international has been an incredible buy for the Saints. With his tricks, his pace and his shoulder dropping, ankle-breaking, confidence-destroying ball play, it’s no wonder he’s valued high enough to be amongst Africa’s best. At €15 million, Boufal is the ideal central attacking midfielder in this line up.
The right wing in this XI is occupied by one of the most talented ball-playing wingers the Premier League – or even Europe – saw last season. Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez won the Premier League title for the club and even won the PFA Player of the Year award outlining his natural talent and ability to influence a game unlike anyone else on this list.
Mahrez is valued at €30 million and is only 25, meaning he has the world ahead of him and could become an even more influential player.
Forwards
Generally famous for churning out high-quality midfielders, African countries in recent seasons have churned out some of the most exciting forwards in the game. We all remember Jay-Jay Okocha tearing up the English top division with his tricks and pace and while many African players miss that craft and guile, they’ve become more efficient in front of goal – as best described by the two forwards on this list.
The left striker on this list is Leicester City’s Islam Slimani. The Algerian was a massive hit with Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese League winning both domestic cups for them but has taken to life in the Premier League in a similar fashion.
The 28-year-old is currently valued at €25 million and is the oldest outfield player in this list. In the 16 appearances he’s made for Leicester this season, Slimani has already scored six goals and contributed four assists making him a vital addition to the defending champions.
Besides the Algerian in this lineup, is perhaps the most sought-after forward in European football currently. Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been one hell of a player in recent seasons and continues to be the kind of beacon the Ruhr club have used to move towards silverware.
Aubameyang is wanted by Real Madrid, Manchester United, Barcelona and more and could make the move in the summer. He’s quick, really quick, has improved his finishing greatly and almost always times his runs to perfection making him one of the most lethal strikers in all of Europe. The 27-year-old is currently valued at €45 million and is currently the most valuable African footballer in the world.
