As European club football takes a hiatus for the FIFA-approved March international break, players across the African continent are gearing up to represent their national teams in a series of friendlies.
This pause offers African countries a chance to regroup their squads for the first time since the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Ivory Coast emerged victorious on home soil.
Examining the continent’s top five most valuable squads, according to Transfermarkt, sheds light on the powerhouse nations heading into these friendlies.
MVP teams amongst African teams
At the top of the list sits Nigeria, boasting a formidable squad value of €345.5 million. Spearheaded by the dynamic Victor Osimhen, whose market value soars at €110 million, the Super Eagles are unfortunately missing the services of their star forward due to injury as they prepare to face Ghana and Mali.
Following closely behind is Ivory Coast, the reigning AFCON champions, with a squad value of €315.58 million. Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande leads the Elephants with a market value of €40 million as they gear up for friendlies against Benin and Uruguay.
Morocco, the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists, claim the third spot with a squad value of €294.40 million. Despite their early exit from AFCON, Achraf Hakimi leads the Lions of the Atlas with a market value of €65 million. They are set to take on Mauritania and Angola in their upcoming fixtures.
Senegal, the 2021 African champions, boast a squad valued at €269.4 million. Pape Matar Sarr, the promising talent from Tottenham Hotspur, commands the highest market value of €40 million. The Lions of Teranga will face Gabon and Benin in their friendlies this month.
Rounding out the top five is Algeria, with a squad valued at €238.55 million. AC Milan’s Ismael Bennacer leads the Desert Foxes with a market value of €35 million. Their upcoming friendlies include matchups against Bolivia and South Africa.
Ghana, Mali, Cameroon, DR Congo and Burkina Faso make up the top 10 respectively.
As these nations convene their star-studded squads, the international break promises to deliver captivating matchups and showcase the immense talent present across the African football landscape.
Previously, Sports Buddy explained why African teams can be hopeful of subsequent events to put them on the map.
With Morocco set to co-host the 2030 World Cup event alongside Spain and Portugal, the stage is set for an African team to rise to the occasion and Arsene Wenger believes Africa can shock the world.
Previously Morocco’s breakthrough in the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a sign of what could come the way of African football.
The Atlas Lions made history as the first African nation to reach the semi-finals, defeating Portugal in a hard-fought one-nil victory.
