Football leagues in North Africa are at fever-pitch with close to 20 games played so far and strikers relentlessly banging in goals.
However, don’t be surprised by a knock from European clubs turning to these stars to add strength to their clubs when the transfer window re-opens.
Ducor Sports brings you a sharp focus on the top four goal-poachers who will make you sit up and take notice in that part of the continent.
Top of the list is William Jebor. Born in Liberia’s administrative capital Monrovia, the 25-year-old is arguably the most dreaded goal-getter in North of Africa at the moment.
He has double digits on his stats this ongoing campaign, a major improvement from the two he managed the previous term.
A former player of Portuguese club Rio Ave, Jebor chose to move to Moroccan champions Wydad Casablanca on loan and is proving every reason for his switch to the club.
He has never before gone beyond the 14-goal mark in his career but this season he’s on a whole new pedestal, scoring 17 times, with 14 of those in the league.
Dubbed The Striker in his native land, he certainly is living to his moniker. Wydad tops the Botola-sponsored league division on 42 points in 20 matches and with credit going to the Liberian’s input.
Jalal Daoudi of struggling Hassania Agadir, his biggest competitor for the golden, is on 10 goals with ten games to the end of the title race.
With a value estimated at €300,000, club side Wydad will have a lot of fight to do to keep its prized asset when the transfer window re-opens.
Ahmed El Sheikh is the second most sought-after attacker in North Africa and is a lot more valued than Jebor, with a price tag of €500,000.
Ahmed El Sheikh (Ahram)
On 11 goals in the 20 games he has played, Sheikh’s goal ratio is on an upward trajectory.
Dubbed the Messi of the Egyptian Premier League, the left-sided forward has assisted seven times, with a 2.6 shot average per game, and a passing rate of 74 percent.
EL Sheikh is a deadly force to reckon with and his style of play likened to Messi’s – turning defenses inside out and a strong penchant for lobbed goals – is no wonder nine of his goals come from tight angles, mostly from the left flank.
Second-placed Misr Makasa Club has the league top-scorer to thank for its current table standing and it will be of little surprise when leaders Al Ahly, insist on recalling him back at the end of his season-long loan.
The race for the top scorer award is the highest individual honor and the 24-year-old wouldn’t have it easy with Ahmed Gomaa of joint third-placed Masry, behind him by a single goal.
Mohamed Amine Hamia stands in third as the next danger man to contend for the top prize. His development hasn’t been rapid as one would have hoped but the 27-year-old Algerian has over the past months, transitioned to CR Belouizdad’s go-to-guy for goals.
Mohamed Amine Hamia (MA D)
His season spell is in two halves. Hamia first played for Olympique de Medea where he scored on five occasions before crossing the divide to join CR, whom he notched five goals for in the last six matches he was featured.
However, the matter of concern for his coach will be Hamia’s habit to get into the referee’s book for petty-on-pitch quarrels and sometimes temperamental attitude.
Hamia got cautioned on four different occasions in the 2015/16 domestic championship, and is already on two this term, with seven games to his league campaign.
Curbing his weakness will do good to gaffer Badou Zaki’s plans to keep CR Belouizdad away from the jaws of relegation.
Valued in the region of €105,000, CR appears resigned to the prospect of losing its star man with rich clubs Esperance Setif and current champions USM Alger, circling around Hamia.
Moustapha Djallit of fifth-placed Saoura is Hamia’s closest contender for the golden boot with nine goals.
Taha Yassine Khenissi is capped sixteen times for the Tunisian national team and a member of the Carthage Eagles to have participated in the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
Taha Yassine Khenissi (CHALA)
Speed and powerful shots are what define Yassine’s style of play. He has always scored double figures the last four years with 22 being his highest tally in 2015.
In the current championship, he is on 9 in the regular season, notching two times in the promotion play-offs which adds up to 11.
Arguably the most expensive in the Tunisian Ligue1 Professionnelle with a valuation of €850,000, Yassine has come a long way to become big fish in the region.
Featured photo: Wydad Athletic Club
