World news :: LaLiga Santander launches Best African Trophy mid-season :: World news

This initiative will allow celebrate the best players on the African continent during the first part of the LaLiga season

With African football at the center of attention currently on the occasion of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2021 hosted in Cameroon, LaLiga pays tribute to the African stars of LaLiga by launching the Trophy of the Best African mid-season in LaLiga Santander.

This new award underlines the growing importance and value of African players’ contribution to the growth of LaLiga and it will be truly unique – as the fans will choose the winner.

Football fans will be able to vote on LaLiga social media accounts and choose the African stars who have performed the best in their eyes. Fans who vote will have the opportunity to win fantastic LaLiga-branded prizes and the player with the most votes will be named winner of the LaLiga Santander Mid-Season Best African Trophy.

Some of the biggest African LaLiga stars are currently representing their countries in Cameroon.

One of the most important players in LaLiga this season is Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou, who made 20 appearances for Sevilla in LaLiga and the Champions League. He conceded just 13 goals in 1,800 minutes and helped Sevilla rocket to second place in the LaLiga table.

Two other Moroccan stars evolve in Sevilla, namely Munir El Haddadi and Youssef En-Nesyri. The latter had scored hat-tricks in two consecutive matches last season in LaLiga.

One Moroccan star exploding this season in LaLiga is FC Barcelona’s big hope Abde Ezzalzouli. The Blaugrana winger started with Barca’s first team this season under coach Xavi Hernandez and quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his technical skills.

Nigerian Super Eagles striker Samuel Chukwueze is back in form this season with Villarreal after suffering a long injury. He is one of the greatest hopes of the African continent. This season, he plays alongside Senegalese striker Boulaye Dia at Villarreal.

Meanwhile, Central African midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia has become a manager for Atlético de Madrid this season and he recently netted his first LaLiga goal for the club.

Togolese defender and veteran Djené Dakonam remains a mainstay of Getafe, a leader of this team with already more than 200 LaLiga appearances and a real aura.

Ghanaian Black Stars midfielder Iddrisu Baba has been outstanding this season with Real Mallorca returning to the top flight.

Deportivo Alaves midfielder Mamadou Loum is another player who shines this season in LaLiga and he is a member of the Senegalese selection during CAN 2021.

Fans who participate in the vote for the Best African Mid-Season Trophy in LaLiga Santander will have a chance to win one of three official LaLiga jerseys, including that of the player who will be crowned, but also three official LaLiga balls and two prizes of African LaLiga merchandise.

« African football stars have brought real quality and great entertainment to LaLiga for many years, with players like Samuel Eto’o, Thomas N’kono, Seydou Keita, Frédéric Kanouté and Michael Essien having had definite success in Spain. As the African LaLiga audience continues to grow and the influence of players from this continent as well, we are launching the Best African Trophy mid-season in LaLiga Santander to celebrate Africa’s immense contribution to our league. We encourage fans to participate and vote for their favorite stars who are shining this season in LaLiga,” explains Marcos Pelegrin, Managing Director of LaLiga in South Africa.