How Africa is represented in this year’s UEFA Champions League

From Achraf Hakimi to a first-ever Rwandan appearance, here’s how every African nation is represented in this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Twenty-three different flags will be represented when the Champions League anthem plays across Europe this week, a reminder of just how far the continent’s talent now stretches.

Morocco

Morocco’s 11-strong contingent is headlined by back-to-back Champions League winner Achraf Hakimi at PSG, Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz, and Bayern Munich’s Ismael Saibari, alongside Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss and Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli.

Senegal

Senegal boast ten players spread across the competition, led by teenage sensation Ibrahim Mbaye, who left PSG for Aston Villa this summer, and Iliman Ndiaye, who joined Manchester City on deadline day after leaving Everton.

Nigeria

Nigeria’s nine players are fronted by former African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen at Galatasaray, and Ademola Lookman, now into his first full season at Atlético Madrid after joining from Atalanta in February.

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Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast field eight players this season, including Yan Diomandé, who became the most expensive African player in history with his summer move to Real Madrid, Villarreal’s Nicolas Pépé and Manchester United winger Amad Diallo.

Algeria

Algeria’s six-man group includes Borussia Dortmund’s Ramy Bensebaini, Manchester City full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Lille’s Nabil Bentaleb.

Cameroon

Cameroon have five players in the competition, headlined by Bryan Mbeumo, a key attacking presence for Manchester United.

Mali

Mali’s four players include Dorgelès Nene at Fenerbahçe, and Feyenoord’s Gaoussou Diarra, whose unconventional path to professional football began while studying business administration in Istanbul.

DR Congo

DR Congo have four players featuring, with Chancel Mbemba and Ngal’ayel Mukau both at Lille, Arthur Masuaku at Lens, and veteran forward Cédric Bakambu at Real Betis, closing in on his country’s all-time scoring record.

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Ghana

Ghana field four players in the competition, led by Antoine Semenyo, who has continued to impress at Manchester City since his move from Bournemouth, alongside Rahim Ibrahim and Sharani Zuberu, both at Slovan Bratislava.

Gambia

Gambia have four players in this season’s competition. Assan Sanyang at Bodø/Glimt, Youssoupha Sanyang at Slavia Praha, and Alasana Yirajang and Suleiman Camara, teammates at Slovan Bratislava.

Gabon

Gabon’s pair in the competition are Orphé Mbina at Sabah FK and midfielder Mario Lemina, who has settled in at Galatasaray following a lengthy career in England with Southampton and Wolves.

Rwanda

Rwanda’s only player is Joy-Lance Mickels at Sabah FK, who is set to become the first Rwandan ever to feature in the Champions League proper.

Angola

Angola are represented by Sandro Cruz, a defender who forms part of Slovan Bratislava’s squad in this season’s league phase.

Guinea

Guinea’s involvement comes through Serhou Guirassy at Borussia Dortmund, joint-top scorer in the 2024/25 Champions League with 13 goals, alongside Sahmkou Camara at Slovan Bratislava.

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South Africa

South Africa have two players in this year’s competition. Aden McCarthy, who helped Sabah FK reach the Champions League for the first time in their history, and Manasse Kianga, who grew up in Johannesburg, at Slovan Bratislava.

Mauritania

Mauritania’s contribution comes from Aboubakary Koïta, a forward who moved to AEK Athens from Belgian football and has scored in European competition for the club.

Egypt

Egypt’s flag is carried by 18-year-old striker Hamza Abdelkarim, who joined Barcelona from Al Ahly in January and has already been included in the club’s Champions League squad.

Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau’s spot belongs to 19-year-old Renato Nhaga, who joined Galatasaray in February after becoming Casa Pia’s youngest-ever top-flight debutant in Portugal.

Libya

Libya’s involvement comes through Daniel Elfadli, a defensive midfielder currently on loan at LASK from Bundesliga side Hamburger SV.

Tunisia

Tunisia’s only player in the competition is centre-back Alaa Ghram, part of Shakhtar Donetsk’s squad since his move from CS Sfaxien.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso field forward Lassina Traoré, who has won the Ukrainian Premier League title during his time at Shakhtar Donetsk.

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Mozambique

Mozambique’s player is Geny Catamo, the Sporting CP winger who became a breakout star at the last Africa Cup of Nations, dubbed “Mozambique’s number 10.”

Cape Verde

Cape Verde are represented by centre-back Logan Costa, who forms part of Villarreal’s defence as they look to build on last season’s league phase campaign.

Picture: Copilot

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