The African XI type of the year 2024!

As for two years, at the same period, Foot Mercato unveils the selection of its African eleven of the year. This year again, several African players have once again left their mark on the year 2023 (January-December period) and are therefore in our typical team. Here it is in 4-1-3-2. And we obviously start with the cages. This year, it's hard not to mention Ronwen Williams to this position. The South African goalkeeper had an XXL year 2024 with a crazy CAN in the colors of South Africa. Selected for the Yachine trophy, he also won the trophy for best African goalkeeper of the year at the 2024 CAF Awards but also that of best interclub player of the year (player on the continent). Author of 35 clean sheets in 59 matches, he also won the national championship with his club Mamelodi Sundowns. Quite logical.

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In front of the South African goalkeeper, we find a solid central hinge. Like last season, Edmond Tapsoba is present in this eleven. The Burkinabe international (51 caps) was one of the soldiers of Xabi Alonso's great season for Bayer Leverkusen. Untouchable with 46 matches played during his team's exceptional season, he logically won the Bundesliga. And this season, he is still off to a very strong start (23 starts) and has shown impressive consistency. To support it, we decided to focus on Evan Ndicka. The Ivorian international, winner of CAN 2023, was the strong element of his team's defense during the competition by being consistent (100% of minutes played). He also confirmed his solidity with Roma with whom he became a potential starter.

A slightly less well-stocked environment

To occupy the position of right back, no real competition. Ashraf Hakimi logically imposes itself in this eleven. The Moroccan international has probably been the best Parisian player for several months and he continues to prove it on the pitch. Winner of the L1 and the Coupe de France, 3rd at the Olympics and semi-finalist in the Champions League, Hakimi well deserves his place in this team. This is also the case for the left side in the person of Country Life. The Nigerian international is a real Swiss army knife capable of playing on both the right and the left. Last season with Nottingham, he more than helped out in this position. Above all, he had been one of Nigeria's best players at the CAN with, as a result, this defeat in the final against Ivory Coast. Striking performances in this left-back role which offers him a place in our eleven.

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In midfield, our choice fell on Lamine Camara. The Senegalese international, elected for the second consecutive time as best young African of the year at the CAF Awards, had started his CAN 2023 strong with the Lions. Above all, he changed dimension thanks to his transfer to AS Monaco and he logically became a reference on the continent in his position. Right in front of him, in a number 10 role, our choice fell on Brahim Diaz. A true supersub of Real Madrid, he largely contributed to his team's great season with the Liga – Champions League double. Carlo Ancelotti did not fail to emphasize this several times at a press conference. Decisive scorer against Leipzig in the 8th of C1, the Moroccan, who finished top scorer in qualifying for CAN 2025 (7 goals in 4 matches) finished the season with 12 goals and 10 assists in 45 matches.

A formidable attack

To supply the corridors, there too, no competition either on the left or on the right. Ademola Lookmanelected African Ballon d'Or this year, obviously deserves his place as he walks on water with Atalanta. His year 2024 also began with an XXL CAN with Nigeria where he was the best player. Then, he made his mark with an exceptional hat-trick in the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen who had not lost a single match all season. This season, the Nigerian started strong with 12 goals in 20 matches played. He will be accompanied by probably the best player in the world currently: Mohamed Salah. We no longer present the Egyptian international as he has proven himself with Liverpool. Scorer, passer, dribbler, the 32-year-old can do absolutely everything and continues to torment opposing defenses. Author of 18 goals and 15 assists at the start of the season with the Reds (24 matches), Salah finished last season with 25 goals.

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Finally for the number 9 positions, our choices fell on a doublet Serhou Guirassy-Ayoub El Kaabi. The Guinean international could have claimed the African Ballon d'Or as he amazed everyone with Stuttgart last season. Among the top scorers in Europe over the year, he piled up the goals. And above all confirmed this season at Borussia Dortmund with 12 goals in 19 matches. He finished last year with 30 goals in… 30 matches. To accompany him, it is the Moroccan striker that we have chosen. With Olympiacos, he marched across Europe with crazy statistics and was the player who led his team to win the Europe Conference League (C4). Top scorer in the competition with 11 goals, he also finished his European campaign with 16 goals. A record since CR7 and its 17 goals. In total, he found the net 33 times (50 matches). And this year, he started on the same basis with already 15 goals in 24 matches. Just that.

They are on the bench and could also be: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Al-Qadsiah, GAB), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Wolverhampton, ALG), Wilfried Singo (Monaco, CIV), Omar Marmoush (Francfurt, EGY) Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham, SEN), , Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford, CAM), Yoane Wissa (Brentford, RDC), Soufiane Rahimi (Al-Ain, MAR), Eliesse Ben Seghir (Monaco, MAR), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham, GHA).