The 5 best African players in world football right now

A number of African players are painting the whole of Europe red with breathtaking performances, as well as incredible goals.

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen is unleashing his talent in Italy, scoring sensational goals as Napoli look good to win the Serie A title for the first time in more than three decades.

Arsenal is topping the Premier League standings, and Ghanaian international Thomas Partey is right there in the middle of the pack for the Gunners.

Although he seems to have dropped form, Egyptian international Mohamed Salah is not doing badly in giving a good account of himself in England.

Here, Sports Brief takes a look at the 5 best African players right now.

5. Mohamed Salah

Although his form has dipped, Salah remains one of the best African players currently. The Liverpool man has notched in 17 goals in 31 matches in all competitions so far this season.

The 30-year-old has seven Premier League goals in 20 appearances so far this campaign, and Jurgen Klopp is looking up to the Egyptian as the Reds continue to struggle in the English topflight.

French Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain are already considering the former Africa Footballer of the Year as a potential replacement for Lionel Messi.

The club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi wants the Egyptian football icon to partner Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in PSG’s attack.

4. Thomas Partey

What a season Thomas Partey is having. The Ghanaian international is currently one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

Recall that it was Partey who scored the deciding goal that helped his country edge Nigeria during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Having ended 0-0 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Partey struck in the 10th minute of the reverse fixture in Abuja in a match that ended 1-1 as the Black Stars progressed to the global showpiece.

His efforts for Arsenal have helped the Gunners remain atop the league standings, and Mikel Arteta will be counting on the 29-year-old.

According to Infogol, Partey averages 66 passes per match, with a pass completion rate of 87 percent so far this season.

3. Riyad Mahrez

The Algerian is already nominated for the PFA Fans Player of the Month for January Award.

Mahrez is currently in the form of his life.

He has already scored 10 goals in 27 matches in all competitions this season, including a stunner at Chelsea and then a brace in their 4-2 comeback win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Premier League statistics show that Mahrez’s nine shots in the box and five shots on target both rank among him their top three players.

The 31-year-old has also made 15 key passes and created five big chances, suggesting he has an all-round potential to help City improve their recent performances.

2. Achraf Hakimi

So far this season, the Moroccan has averaged 48 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 90 percent and has 3 assists.

Achraf Hakimi has received 4 yellow cards and 0 red cards in the course of the 2022/2023 season for Paris Saint-Germain.

He was a key member of the Atlas Lions of Morocco which reached the semi-final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and a stadium was renamed after him in his home country.

1. Victor Osimhen

The Nigerian international is proving to be the best striker in world football at the moment. From both legs to his head, Osimhen is scoring for free in Italy.

The 24-year-old has notched in 16 goals in 17 matches in the Serie A this season, helping Napoli remain atop of the league standings.

English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea are jostling for the signature of the former Lille of France striker.

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has, however, insisted that the striker is going nowhere. He told Bild via Daily Mail: “I can tell you that Osimhen is not for sale. Our players are in demand, but I don't have to sell anyone.

We don't have any debts.” Napoli have already set his transfer asking price to £107million.