With various CAF competitions and domestic top flights on the continent now at their final stages, here's a look at six non-African stars who are enjoying impressive seasons in Africa, including two Mamelodi Sundowns players!
Marcelo Allende - Mamelodi Sundowns
The most valuable footballer in South African football, according to Transfermarkt, Allende has enjoyed a phenomenal season in the Ka Bo Yellow colours, having made 36 appearances for the club this term, a total bettered only by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. In addition to his ever-presence on the pitch, the Chilean midfielder has also contributed a productive four goals and five assists so far, while he was instrumental in helping Sundowns win the inaugural African Football League trophy.
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Jonathan Rubio Toro - Petro de Luanda
The Honduras international is Petro's joint-highest scorer this season, alongside veteran striker Thiago Azulao with five goals. Remarkably, Toro only joined the Angolan giants as a free agent from Portuguese second-tier team Academico Viseu in July. The 27-year-old has already earned the trust of his manager, having played the sixth-highest number of minutes (1 383) in the squad, and the most by an attacking player. Having never played professionally outside of Europe previously, Toro's African adventure has got off to a great start, and he still has another season remaining on his contract.
Yann Sasse - Esperance
The Brazilian playmaker has been the standout player for his new side Esperance, contributing with five goals and six assists in the first 26 games of his debut campaign with the team. The 26-year-old also scored what could perhaps be the most important goal for his club this season, netting in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final against Sundowns last Saturday to give his team a 1-0 aggregate lead. Ultimately, the attacking midfielder has been pivotal in helping the Tunisian giants to a second successive appearance in the semi-finals of the Champions League, a feat the club had not managed since winning the tournament on back-to-back occasions in 2017/18 and 2018/19.
Lucas Ribeiro - Mamelodi Sundowns
The Brazilian forward has 20 goal involvements in his first 31 appearances for Sundowns, namely 15 goals and five assists in all competitions. His goals output also sees him lead the race for the DStv Premiership Golden Boot. Aged 25, the South American has undeniably unseated Peter Shalulile as the best striker at Chloorkop, with the Namibian seemingly playing second fiddle to him these days. Ribeiro's influence has been felt across the board as he has registered a goal involvement in four of the five competitions he has played in since joining Downs.
Rodrigo Rodrigues - Esperance
Another Esperance inclusion, Rodrigues makes up one half of the Tunisian side's dangerous Brazilian duo, along with the aforementioned Sasse. The striker arrived at the Tunis outfit in July 2023 in a deal worth €245 000 (R5 million) from Juventude in Brazil. Since then, he has scored six goals and provided one assist in 21 outings so far. His combination play with his countryman Sasse makes him a deadly threat not just through goals but in build-up play as well.
Wessam Abou Ali - Al Ahly
The Palestine forward joined Al Ahly in January 2024 from IK Sirius, where he played alongside new signing at Sundowns, Tashreeq Matthews. The Egyptian giants paid a lofty €1.7 million (R35 million) fee to the Swedish outfit for his services, and the 25-year-old has wasted no time scoring the goals. Although he has had some difficulty with injuries, Ali has three goals in less than 400 minutes of action!
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