The 2024-25 Asian Champions League group stage has officially begun, bringing together top clubs from across the continent in the race to dethrone reigning champions Al Ain. This year’s edition promises to be a thrilling spectacle, featuring several high-profile African players set to make an impact throughout the tournament.
Defending champions Al Ain, who kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Al Sadd, boast two key African players.
Moroccan forward Soufiane Rahimi, who was the best player and top scorer in last season’s competition, has renewed his contract and will look to replicate his previous success.
Togolese striker Laba Kodjo Fo-Doh, who netted twice in last year’s final, remains a crucial asset for the Emirati side and is expected to play a vital role in their title defense.
Elsewhere, several African stars will feature prominently for their respective clubs.
Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, fresh off his move from Chelsea, now plies his trade at Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli and will aim to bring his Premier League and Champions League experience to the Asian stage.
He is joined by Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, who will add flair and creativity to the Saudi club’s attack.
Sadio Mané, another Senegalese star and former Liverpool forward, will be one to watch at Al Nassr. After joining the Saudi outfit, Mané has quickly become a fan favorite and is tipped to shine in this year’s competition.
Fellow countryman Kalidou Koulibaly, known for his defensive prowess, will anchor the backline for Al Hilal, a club with high ambitions in both domestic and continental competitions.
African talent is also well represented at clubs outside Saudi Arabia. Al Ain’s lineup features players like Ghanaian Salomon Sosu, Mali’s Sekou Gassama and Karim Traoré, and Nigeria’s Rilwani Sarki, showcasing the diverse skill set that African footballers bring to the Emirati side.
In Qatar, Al Sadd fields Malian midfielder Mohamed Camara, while Moroccan Achraf Bencharki will play for Al Rayyan.
The presence of these African players has added another layer of intrigue to the competition.
Their contributions will not only elevate their respective teams but also highlight the growing influence of African footballers in Asian football.
With so many of these players already established as stars in Europe and Africa, the 2024-25 Asian Champions League promises to be a platform where they can further solidify their legacies on an international stage.
As the group stage progresses, all eyes will be on these African players, many of whom are expected to be key figures in their teams’ campaigns.
With talents like Soufiane Rahimi, Sadio Mané, and Riyad Mahrez in the mix, this year’s tournament could be one of the most exciting yet, showcasing the very best of African football on a continental level.
African Players to Watch in the 2024-25 Asian Champions League:
- Al Shorta (Iraq): Abdoul Madjid (Niger), Idrissa Niang (Senegal), Salomon Charles (Cameroon)
- Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia): Edouard Mendy (Senegal), Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast), Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
- Al Ain (United Arab Emirates): Salomon Sosu (Ghana), Sekou Gassama (Mali), Karim Traoré (Mali), Soufiane Rahimi (Morocco), Fo-Doh Laba (Togo), Epifani Loulendo (Congo), Rilwani Sarki (Nigeria)
- Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia): Yassine Bounou (Morocco), Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal)
- Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia): Sadio Mané (Senegal)
- Al Rayyan (Qatar): Achraf Bencharki (Morocco)
- Al Sadd (Qatar): Mohamed Camara (Mali)
- Al Wasl (United Arab Emirates): Sofiane Bouftini (Morocco), Nour Zarkane (Morocco), Sana Gomez (Guinea-Bissau), Siaka Sidibe (Mali), N’guesan Gaignan Junior (Ivory Coast), Oussama Amar (Algeria), Adama Diallo (Ivory Coast)
- Buriram United (Thailand): Marcelo Djalo (Guinea-Bissau)
- Yokohama F. Marinos (Japan): Kodjo Laba Fo-Doh (Togo)
These players are expected to play pivotal roles as the tournament unfolds, with many of them having the potential to lead their teams to success.
