Now that the 2019/20 Europa League season has finally ended, I came up with a lineup of African players that performed well in the competition. Here is the starting 11, in a 3-4-3 formation. (Note: African players selected here either play(ed) for an African national team or are still eligible to represent an African team even if they haven’t played a senior match yet.)
Yassine Bounou (GK, Morocco): sevilla
In my opinion, the best goalkeeper in the Europa League. Quite possibly in the running for best players in the tournament. The Moroccan kept 6 clean sheets in 9 appearances. His most notable performances were in the quarterfinals and semifinals, against Wolves and Manchester United respectively. He saved Raul Jimenez’s penalty and recorded six saves against a United team fielding Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
Kévin Boli (CB, Côte d’Ivoire): cfr cluj
I included Boli because of the stout defense exhibited by this Romanian outfit in a very difficult group with Celtic, Rennes, and Lazio. They finished in second place, only conceding three goals in the group stage. The Ivorian played a crucial role in the wins against Lazio and Rennes (back to back clean sheets against Rennes, if I may add). CFR Cluj put in a formidable effort against the Europa League finalists Sevilla but lost on away goals.
Djené (CB, TOGo): Getafe
The 5’ 9” Togolese defender exhibited mighty displays for Getafe. Djené had 4 clean sheets in 7 appearances. Whenever Djené started in the group stages (a group with Europa League regulars FC Basel, Trabzonspor, and FC Krasnodar) he only conceded one goal. This was Getafe’s first appearance in Europe since the 2010/11 season when they exited the Europa League group stages. They defeated the 2019 Champions League semi-finalists Ajax in the Round of 32. I do feel the COVID-19 break was unkind to them, as they lost momentum in La Liga, so I think that game against Inter in the Round of 16 could have been different.
Romain Saïss (CB, Morocco): Wolverhampton Wanderers
The Moroccan is another player that is versatile, playing as center back and holding midfielder. As Center back, he contributed to three clean sheets (two against Besiktas and one against Espanyol).
Yannick Bolasie (RM, DRC): sporting cp
The skillful winger had a short stint with Sporting CP (on loan from Everton from September-April) but made a positive impact. He featured in 7 Europa League games and played at CF as well as RW and RM. He is the kind of player that does a lot of things that don’t show up in key statistical categories. He did score a goal and assisted two. His work rate, however, is formidable. He averaged 6 duels a game, the second most out of any attacking outfield player for Sporting (second to Bruno Fernandes).
Idrissa Doumbia (CM, Côte d’ivoire): Sporting CP
Doumbia, from the looks of it, is a solid player. The Ivorian started 5 out of 6 group games, and his holding midfield role contributed to 3 clean sheets. Doumbia starts the attack after the ball is recovered within his own half. I believe his role was critical for Bruno Fernandes to score 15+ goals from the midfield. For his first full season with Sporting at just 22 years of age, Doumbia is a promising talent.
Joe Aribo (CM, Nigeria): Rangers fc
I didn’t know about Joe Aribo until I saw the goal he scored against Braga in the dramatic knockout stage game when they came back from 0-2 down to win 3-2. Aribo’s equalizing goal was so good, it was voted Rangers goal of the season (it could very well be Top 10 of the Europa League). The tall, left-footed central midfielder appeared in 10 games in the Europa League (including the qualifying stages) and was the manager’s most consistent players. He is known for his skill in the attacking third and escaping the press. His skill is exhibited below in the goal against Braga.
Allan Nyom (LM, Cameroon): GETAFE
Although listed as a right full back on transfermarkt, he is a versatile player. In the Europa League, he played in four different positions: RB, LM, LB, RM. Featuring 9 times in the competition, the Cameroonian helped keep 4 clean sheets and registered one assist. Nyom was an integral part to Getafe’s commendable run in the Europa League.
Nicolas Pepe (RW, Côte d’ivoire): ARSENAL
This was the competition, I feel, helped Nicolas Pepe ease into the Arsenal squad. He showed glimpses of his talent in that game against Vitoria Guimaraes, dispatching two free kick goals to earn a comeback win. With 6 appearances, assisting twice and scoring twice, he was economical with his impact, as he was not always a starter.
Jody Lukoki (lw, DRC): PFK Ludogorets Razgrad
The Congolese man played an influential role for PFK Ludogorets. This season was Lukoki’s best season in Europe in his entire career, scoring 5 goals in 10 appearances. That would make him tied for fourth in Europa league scorers (the competition doesn’t recognize goals scored in the qualifying stage, which I think is absurd). He now plays in the Turkish League.
pierre emerick Aubameyang (ST, GABon): arsenal
The Arsenal captain provided consistency to Arsenal’s inconsistency Europa League campaign. Scoring against Olympiacos and Eintracht Frankfurt, the Gabon man did a commendable job playing in the Europa League under three different managers.
What do you all think? Is there anyone you think should be included/omitted? Comment!
Eddie Mungai 
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