The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations set to unfold in Ivory Coast from January 13th to February 11th, the spotlight intensifies on African football stars who have made a significant impact in the Saudi Pro League.
Notable figures like Riyadh Mahrez, Senegal’s triumvirate Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy, and Kalidou Koulibaly, alongside Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, are poised to defend the league’s reputation in this continental extravaganza.
This AFCON edition marks the debut of professionals from the Saudi Pro League on the continental stage following their departure from European leagues in the last summer transfer window.
The presence of these African luminaries aims to showcase their enduring football prowess, debunking any doubts about their technical prowess post-European departure, consequently elevating the stature of the Saudi Pro League.
The preliminary squads for the AFCON feature 30 players who currently ply their trade in Saudi clubs, with a considerable influx of African stars from the top five European leagues.
Among these, Riyadh Mahrez, having transferred from Manchester City to Al Ahli, has played a pivotal role in steering his team back on course with consistent performances, contributing to 15 goals in 18 Saudi Pro League matches.
The defensive duo of Bounou and Koulibaly, hailing from Sevilla and Chelsea respectively, have provided exceptional defensive prowess to Al Hilal, leading the league.
Al Hilal has maintained an impressive 11 clean sheets this season, with Bounou featuring in 11 matches and Koulibaly in 10.
Sadio Mane, starting with a blazing six goals in his first six matches for Al Nassr, has exhibited remarkable attacking prowess.
While his goal-scoring has tapered off in recent matches, his four assists underline his crucial playmaking role for the team.
On the contrary, Edward Mendy’s initial struggles with Al Ahli were overshadowed by recent performances, boasting five consecutive clean sheets in the last five matches and a total of 10 clean sheets this season.
Away from the established names, several Saudi Pro League players have earned spots in their national teams’ preliminary rosters, aspiring to secure final selections based on their season-long performances.
Notable names include Cameroon’s prolific striker George Nkoudou, Abderrazak Hamdallah from Morocco, and Egypt’s Mohamed Sherif, each eyeing a chance to make a lasting impact on their national squads.
As these African football maestros carry the hopes of Saudi football into the AFCON, the league’s growing appeal stands poised to attract further stellar talents in upcoming transfer windows, solidifying its position as a global football destination.
