The African players shining in the Saudi Pro League
The Saudi Pro League is the new destination of choice for many footballers, African players among them.
Sport News Africa · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
Saudi Arabia is not the semi-retirement home some might imagine. Competition is fierce, with so many star names there, and most of the African internationals are more than holding their own. Sport News Africa, without claiming to be exhaustive, picks out 5 players from the continent who are starring in the Saudi kingdom this season.
Houssem Aouar
This image is unavailable on the original SNA site (recorded HTTP 404).
After struggling at AS Roma in Italy's Serie A, Houssem Aouar has found a new lease of life at Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. The Algeria international midfielder has discovered a scoring touch in Saudi Arabia and is actually more of a goalscorer than a provider. This season, the Lyon-born player has 7 goals and 2 assists in 11 league games.
Read also: AFCON 2023 - Houssem Aouar: "We apologise to the millions of Algerians for this disappointment"
The Fennec has scored 2 goals in his last two games. Fittingly, the 26-year-old has been nominated for the Saudi Pro League "Talent of the Week" award.
Georges-Kévin Nkoudou
This image is unavailable on the original SNA site (recorded HTTP 404).
Georges-Kévin Nkoudou keeps shining in the Saudi Pro League. After scoring 15 goals and providing 5 assists in 31 games last season, the Cameroon international left winger at Damac FC has started this season at the same level. The 29-year-old already has 7 goals and one assist in just 12 matches.
Read also: Persian Gulf: Sakala, Mahrez, Nkoudou… Africans are having a feast
The Indomitable Lion has scored 3 goals in his last 4 league appearances. He is in the running for the Saudi Pro League "Talent of the Week" award.
Edouard Mendy
This image is unavailable on the original SNA site (recorded HTTP 404).
Edouard Mendy is firmly back at the top of his game. We are seeing again the Senegalese goalkeeper who was outstanding for Chelsea in his first season there. At Al-Ahli he has rediscovered his old level, and the statistics speak for themselves. In 8 Saudi Pro League games, the Montivilliers-born keeper has conceded just 4 goals, with 5 clean sheets.
Read also: Al Ahli: Edouard Mendy injured again!
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
This image is unavailable on the original SNA site (recorded HTTP 404).
After a difficult start at Al-Qadsiah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is finally thriving in his new colours. The Panthers captain took a long time to open his account and has not stopped scoring since. The 35-year-old striker has 5 goals in 11 Saudi Pro League appearances.
Aubameyang has scored two goals in his last 3 league games, including the winner against Al Nassr, the team of Sadio Mané and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Gabon international has been nominated for the Saudi Pro League "Talent of the Week" award.
Bernard Mensah
This image is unavailable on the original SNA site (recorded HTTP 404).
Bernard Mensah is having a real impact at Al-Riyadh SC. The Ghana international midfielder was signed last summer after impressing at Al-Taï SC. The former Atlético Madrid player established himself as soon as he arrived.
Read also: Saudi Arabia: Bernard Mensah makes history with Al-Tai
An undisputed starter in midfield, the 30-year-old is shouldering his responsibilities on the pitch. Playing as an attacking midfielder, he is influencing his team's results. He has been involved in 7 Al-Riyadh SC goals in 12 appearances, with 3 goals and 4 assists.