19 May 2011
The fourth of our series looking at best African performers in Europe.
Following on from our look at the best Africans in England, Spain and Italy this season, we turn our attention to the French Ligue 1.
5. Modibo Maga (Sochaux/Mali)
Appearances/goals: 34/14
The Mali forward joined Sochaux at the start of the season from le Mans and has been an instant hit. The 23-year-olds goals have taken his side to the brink of UEFA Europa League qualification for next season, an excellent result for a side that finished 16th in the last campaign.
They may well not be hold onto their star man for the next campaign, but he must rank as one of the buys of the season in Ligue 1.
4. Taye Taiwo (Marseille/Nigeria)
Appearances/goals: 29/4
Taiwo has already said he will end his six-year stay at Marseille when the season closes and this has arguably been his best campaign to date. Marseille are still in with a slim chance of claiming the Ligue 1 title, and key to their excellent form this season has been Taiwo.
The Nigerian left-back has a healthy four goals this campaign and is also part of the third-best defence in the competitions.
3. Youssef El-Arabi (Caen/Morocco)
Appearances/goals: 36/17
The 24-year-old French-born Moroccan international has been superb for tiny Caen this season and is very much the chief goal-scorer at the club. It is fair to say that without the services of the 24-year-old, Caen might have already been relegated, but as it is they go into the final two matches of the season three points above the drop-zone.
El-Arabi is in his third season with Caen, but this has been by far his best.
2. Gervinho (Lille/Cote d’Ivoire)
Appearances/goals: 33/15
The Cote dIvoire star has been one of the best strikers in Ligue 1 over the last couple of seasons but now he looks as though he will get rewards for his outstanding play in the form of the Ligue 1 trophy. Lille need just one point from their final two matches to be crowned champions.
Gervinho has played a large role in that, not just with the goals he has scored, but with the chances that he creates for others. It might be that one of Europes elite clubs steps in to prize Gervinho away from Lille this European summer.
1. Moussa Sow (Lille/Senegal)
Appearances/goals: 34/21
Sow has scored a remarkable 21 goals in 34 appearances and is join top-scorer in Ligue 1 going into the final two games of the season. His only real rival for that title is Lorients Kevin Gameiro who also has 21 goals.
Sow joined Lille from Rennes at the start of the season, where he scored a measly three goals in 24 appearances in the last campaign. His game has improved markedly though and playing in a side that creates plenty of chances has helped him become our top African in France.
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