The Best of Africa Team XI in the English Premier League is comprised of first and second generation African star players much as the latter play for non-African countries.
GOALKEEPER
Steve Mandanda (Crystal Palace)
The Crystal Palace goalkeeper has made nine appearances with three wins and four losses including 24 saves in goal. Although he plays for France, Mandanda was born in Kinshasa, DR Congo
DEFENDERS
Eric Bailly (Manchester United)
The Cote D’Ivoire and Manchester United Defender has made 20 appearances and kept nine clean sheets in his maiden season in the Premier League.
Mamadou Sakho (Crystal Palace)
The France International (born to Senegalese parents) has made seven appearances for Crystal Palace this season while on loan from Liverpool and has turned Crystal Palace’s defense into a force to reckon with.
Joel Matip (Liverpool)
Also in his maiden season in the Premier League, Matip has made 25 appearances for Liverpool and kept five clean sheets. The Cameroonian has scored one goal and has a 73% tackle success rate.
MIDFIELDERS
Paul Pogba (Manchester United)
The 24-year-old has made 32 appearances for Manchester United and scored four goals adding to his three assists. He leads the charts for passes completed with 2,139 and plays for the French National team although both his parents are from Guinea.
N’golo Kante (Chelsea)
The 2016/17 PFA Player of the Year whose parents relocated from Mali to France in 1980, has made 31 appearances for Chelsea and scored one goal. He has made 110 tackles and 243 recoveries.
Yaya Toure (Manchester City)
The ‘big Ivorian’ has been instrumental for Pep Guardiola’s side after returning to first team football in November 2016. He has made 20 appearances, scored four goals and still holds a 100% record in a penalty shoot-out.
Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs)
The Kenyan defensive midfielder has made 30 appearances this season, managing two goals. He has made 79 tackles and 35 interceptions.
FORWARDS
Delle Alli (Tottenham Hotspurs)
Arguably the best young player of the season, Alli has scored 16 goals and made five assists in 31 appearances. The England International has roots in Africa, born to a Nigerian father and English mother.
Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
Lukaku is currently the top scorer in the Premier League with 24 goals in 33 appearances for the Toffees. He has contributed to six goals in assists and was born to Congolese parents, but plays for the Belgium National Team.
Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
The Senegalese forward has been Klopp’s signing of the season. He has scored 13 goals and made five assists in his 27 appearances for the Reds.
Featured photo: AFP/Getty Images
