Ligue 1: Doumbia, Gouiri, Sinayoko and Bourabaa shine after five games

Four African players have already made a decisive impact in the 2026/27 Ligue 1 season, with Kamory Doumbia, Amine Gouiri, Lassine Sinayoko and Adil Bourabaa each involved in five goals after the opening five matches.

The quartet have combined goals and assists to establish themselves among the leading attacking players in the competition, underlining their importance to their respective clubs.

Doumbia leads Brest’s early charge

Kamory Doumbia has made an outstanding start for Stade Brestois, scoring four goals and providing one assist.

The Mali international quickly moved to the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts, with his double against Le Havre proving particularly significant. His performances have confirmed his influence in Brest’s attacking system.

Known as “La Toupie”, Doumbia brings movement, direct running and the ability to make quick bursts into the penalty area. His gift for finding dangerous positions has made him one of Stade Brestois’ main attacking threats at the beginning of the campaign.

Gouiri finds his scoring touch at Marseille

Amine Gouiri has also started the season strongly for Olympique de Marseille, recording four goals and one assist.

The Algeria international announced himself on the opening weekend with two goals in Marseille’s 4-0 victory against Strasbourg.

Gouiri has looked particularly effective when combining with team-mates and attacking space. His movement and work in the final third have provided Olympique de Marseille with another attacking option.

His goalscoring form has been one of the club’s few positives during a difficult start, with Marseille having suffered five consecutive defeats in all competitions. Despite that run, Gouiri has remained highly effective in front of goal.

Sinayoko makes an immediate impression at Paris FC

Lassine Sinayoko has emerged as one of the defining figures of the opening weeks. The Mali international has scored four goals and supplied one assist since joining Paris FC, quickly becoming a major threat to opposing defences.

His most notable performance came at the Velodrome on matchday three, when he scored a hat-trick against Olympique de Marseille. The result gave Paris FC a memorable 3-2 victory.

Sinayoko became the first player to score a hat-trick against Marseille in Ligue 1 since Bafetimbi Gomis in 2012. His statistics have been matched by his influence during matches, with the forward already showing an ability to change the outcome of major games.

Bourabaa’s rapid rise at Le Mans

Adil Bourabaa, aged 21, has attracted attention with Le Mans after contributing three goals and two assists.

The Algeria midfielder scored his third goal of the season in Le Mans’ 2-1 win against Lorient, further strengthening the impression that he is enjoying an exceptional run of form.

His consistency has earned recognition beyond club football. Bourabaa received his first call-up for Algeria, replacing Nabil Bentaleb in the squad.

While Doumbia, Gouiri and Sinayoko represent established attacking influence, Bourabaa is the emerging talent of the group. All four have provided an early showcase for African players in Ligue 1, with the season still in its opening stages.