Football: Five African players to watch in Ligue 1

After a two-and-a-half-month hiatus, the French championship resumes on Friday, August 15, with the Rennes-Marseille match. Many African players or players of African descent will be participating. Le Monde Afrique has identified five players who should make headlines.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon, Olympique de Marseille

A little over a year ago, Gabonese international striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 36 years old and with 81 caps, left Olympique de Marseille to sign for Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia. After a rather successful season in the Persian Gulf, with 35 goals scored and a slightly fatter bank account – paid 870 monthly 000 euros –, the captain of Panthères FC, the Gabonese national team, returned to OM, while he had very lucrative offers in the Saudi Pro League.

"He prioritized the sporting aspect over the financial aspect, since OM will be playing in the Champions League. This proves that he still wants to compete at a very high level," said Alain Giresse, the former Gabon coach. Greeted like a rock star by hundreds of Aubameyang, who will be receiving a monthly salary of €350,000, will be welcomed by Olympian supporters upon his arrival at Marseille-Provence airport at the end of July. And for his big return to the Stade Vélodrome, the striker even scored twice against the English side Aston Villa. Villa (3-1) in a friendly match on August 9.

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