AFRICAN ALL-STARS

MO SALAH LEADS THE WAY FOR AFRICAN STARS IN EUROPE IN THE 2023/24 SEASON, BUT WHO ELSE COULD BE THE PRIDE OF THE CONTINENT?

- Nick Said

VICTOR OSIMHEN
(NAPOLI & NIGERIA)

Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen became the first African footballer to win the Golden Boot in Serie A as he topped the table and netted his 26th goal in the final-day 2-0 win over Sampdoria. It was a sensational campaign for the forward, who finished five goals ahead of second-placed Lautaro Martínez from Inter Milan. Only two of Osimhen's goals were penalties and he scored a full 12 more Serie A goals in 2022/23 than in the previous campaign. Whether Napoli can keep hold of him will be the big question.

LAMECK BANDA
(LECCE & ZAMBIA)

Zambian Banda had a strong season in Serie A with Lecce last time round giving the 22-year-old midfielder something to build on. It was Banda's first campaign in Italy after he joined Lecce from Russian side Arsenal Tula, having spent the previous two seasons on loan in Israel at Maccabi Netanya and Maccabi Petah Tikva. He featured in 36 of Leece's 38 games, with 19 starts and 17 sub appearances.

NICOLAS JACKSON
(VILLARREAL & SENEGAL)

Born in Banjul, Gambia, Jackson is a fairly new international for Senegal, and at the age of only 21 is a huge prospect in the game. He scored 12 goals for Villarreal in LaLiga last season, which helped them to qualify for the Europa League. Jackson had a strong finish to the season and scored nine times in his final 11 games, and has all the physical attributes to star for the side in the future.

TAIWO AWONIYI
(NOTTINGHAM FOREST & NIGERIA)