Africa’s Ligue 1 Team of the Season

Ouagadougou-born stopper who has excelled at FC Nantes after signing permanently for the Canaries permanently last year.

There are queries about why the former France U-21 international hasn’t been called up for Les Bleus, but as things stand, he remains eligible for Burkina Faso.

Not as much intense African competition for the left-back berth as there have been for other positions on the pitch, but Konan makes the cut after helping Stade de Reims to a safe mid-table position.

The former European Cup finalists also registered the seventh best defensive record in the division.

The Mali international was part of a Metz side who ultimately dropped into the second tier, but he was immense in the heart of the backline, prompting transfer rumours linking him with a move to LeicesterCity.

He averaged 3.1 headers won per match this season—only three players managed more throughout the division.

Similarly effective in the air to Kouyate, Aguerd continues to demonstrate why he ought to be considered one of the finest centre-backs in the European game.

Linked to West Ham United at various stages during the season, he caught the eye at times during the Africa Cup of Nations and helped Stade Rennais reach the top four, with his deft use of the ball proving particularly valuable.

Edges out Hamari Traore to make our African Dream Team after clinching the Ligue 1 title in his first season in France.

This success follows up on last season’s Serie A victory with Internazionale, and Hakimi deserves credit for overcoming a sluggish start to life in the capital to impress under Mauricio Pochettino.

Now bound for the Premier League after a magnificent season in the heart of the park for Olympique de Marseille, Aston Villa have pulled off a major coup in bagging the Franco-Senegalese wonderkid.

Magnificent for unfashionable Racing Club de Lens this season, securing an unlikely place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season in the process.

The 27-year-old inspired Lens into the top half of the table, and his ability to carry the ball through the midfield proved to be a major asset for the Northerners.

Excelled for Olympique Lyonnais either side of an impressive Afcon campaign on home soil with Cameroon.

Toko Ekambi ended the year with 12 goals and five assists, but his teammates weren’t able to match his high standards as OL failed to qualify for European football.

Another player who caught the eye at the Nations Cup during a season in which he reaffirmed his quality in the French top flight.

Now back at Angers—the club where he began his career—Boufal averaged 3.1 dribbles per match this season (more than Neymar or Lionel Messi) and had a hand in 12 goals.

Another season of immense progress for Muani, who built on his return of nine goals last term by bagging 12—as well as four assists—this season.

His quality in the French top flight helped Nantes to ninth, while also getting his hands on the French Cup.

A defeated finalist in the Coupe de France, but Delort nonetheless enjoyed a spectacular season in the French top flight.

18 goals (two for Montpellier Herault) meant he ended the year fifth in the scoring charts, forging an excellent partnership with Amine Gouiri, who was unfortunate to miss out.

Hamari Traore, Marshall Munetsi, Moses Simon, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Amine Gouiri, Ludovic Ajorque, Hugo Ekitike