European finals: Hakimi, Amad Diallo, Jackson... African players set for the big occasions

Hakimi, Diallo, Onana... African players will feature in the European finals, with several of the continent's stars involved across the three competitions.

Sport News Africa · Author profile · 09/05/2025 06:52 UTC

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Achraf Hakimi and Paris Saint-Germain will play in the Champions League final. The Parisians beat Arsenal 2-1 in the second leg of the semi-final on Wednesday 7 May. The Moroccan right-back was excellent, as usual. After winning a penalty, missed by Vitinha in the 69th minute, the former Inter man then scored a superb goal three minutes later. He will now try to help PSG win their first Champions League trophy.

However, if they win, it will be the 2nd Champions League title for Achraf Hakimi, who has already won the competition with Real Madrid in 2018.

Manchester United, the African club

Besides, Achraf Hakimi will not be the only African involved in a European final. Manchester United, who have reached the Europa League final, have in their ranks Cameroonian André Onana, Moroccan Noussair Mazraoui and Ivorian Amad Diallo. All three players could therefore win their first European trophy. However, they will face a Tottenham side featuring Senegalese Pape Matar Sarr and Malian Yves Bissouma. They too are chasing a first European trophy. The final will be played on 21 May at San Mames in Bilbao.

Finally, in the third European competition, the Europa Conference League, the continent will also be represented. Chelsea, with Senegalese Nicolas Jackson, will take on Real Betis on 28 May. On the Spanish side, there are Senegalese duo Nobel Mendy and Youssouf Sabaly, Congolese Cédric Bakambu and Moroccan Abde Ezzalzouli. The latter is the Andalusian hero, having scored the goal in extra time that sent them into the final against Fiorentina (2-2 after extra time).

Original SNA publication