Among them are some of Africa’s most talented exports, who have played in Europe, America, Asia and Africa before joining Azerbaijan’s top league.
As the 2020-21 Azerbaijan Premier League resumes, here is a list of some African players who are ready to make an impact.
John Bankole Kamara
Date of birth/Age: Dec 5, 1988 (31)
Place of birth: Freetown
Citizenship: Sierra Leone
Height: 1.86m
Position: Defensive Midfield
Sierra Leone international, John Bankole Kamara plays for Azerbaijan Premier League side, Keshla FK. He joined the club in January 2019 and has been playing in the central and defensive midfield of the squad. Before coming to Azerbaijan, Bankole has played in Greece and Lithuania where he spent most of his formative years.
He is one of the African players to watch in the 2020-21 season. Keshla finished third last season and will also represent Azerbaijan in the UEFA Europa League. Bakonle is one of the experienced players in Keshla and he brings some expertise and experience which will help Keshla contend for the league title.
Yusuf Lawal
Date of birth/Age: Mar 23, 1998 (22)
Citizenship: Nigeria
Height: 1,75 m
Position: Forward - Right Winger
Nigerian forward Yusuf Lawal will feature for Neftchi PFC in the Azerbaijan Premier League. The former Lockeren of Belgium forward joined the Azerbaijani club this Summer and had shown some promises of adapting to the style of play in his new club.
The Nigerian winger is nicknamed Obagoal because he plays like popular Nigeria player Obafemi Martins.
Neftchi will represent Azerbaijan in the UEFA Europa League and this will give the Nigerian the opportunity for more exposure.
Alexander Christovão M'Futila
Date of birth/Age: Mar 14, 1993 (27)
Place of birth: Landana
Citizenship: Angola, Netherlands
Height: 1,86 m
Position: Forward - Centre-Forward
Angolan striker Alexander Christovão joined Keshla FC during the winter transfer window, unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic did not give him the opportunity to justify his signing. The club renewed his contract for the 2020-21 season. The former Dinamo Bucarest player is one of the Africans to watch as he is set to help Keshla in their league and European Cup campaign. Christovão is a widely traveled footballer who has featured in clubs FC Groningen, SC Cambuur, Z. Sosnowiec as well as Al-Mojzel.
Mamadou Kane
Date of birth/Age: Jan 22, 1997 (22)
Citizenship: Guinea
Height: 1.72m
Position: Central Midfield
Former Guinea U-20 captain, Mamadou Kane is one of Neftchi’s young players and has maintained a starting shirt in the club since joining them from AS Kaloum in January 2019. His integration and acclimatization to Neftchi PFK was not difficult. It was made easy due to the fact that he met some other experienced African players and French players of African descent who were willing to help him and carry him along.
Nefchi’s biggest disappointment in 2020 is losing out on the Azerbaijan Premier League. As the 2020-21 season resumes, the Baku-based club will be aiming to overthrow Qarabag this time. Kane will be a part of the team and will play a vital role in helping them achieve their objective in the domestic league and in the UEFA Europa League.
Chikito Lema Mabidi
Date of birth/Age: Jun 11, 1993 (22)
Place of Birth: Kinshasa, DR Congo
Citizenship: DR Congo
Height: 1.79 m
Position: Midfielder
Lema Mabidi is a Congolese professional footballer. He joined Sabail FC from Raja Club Casablanca. The midfielder joined Sabail FC a few weeks before the Azerbaijan Premier League was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He renewed his contract with the club and will feature in the 2020-21 season. Chikito Lema is one of the experienced African players in the league and is expected to use his experience to help Sabail produce decent results.
Mamadou Mbodj
Date of birth/Age: Mar 12, 1993 (26)
Citizenship: Senegal
Height: 1.98m
Position: Centre-Back
Pape Mamadou Mbodj is a Senegalese central defender who currently plays for Neftchi Professional Football Club, Baku. Mbodj joined the Azerbaijan top-flight club from Žalgiris Vilnius, a Lithuanian professional football club based in Vilnius.
The central defender who also plays in the defensive midfield also scored some crucial goals for his side last season, both in Cup and League matches. Mbodj’s height is his greatest asset as he stands at 1.98m. The Senegalese is also a key player in Neftchi PFK because his versatility as a defender and makeshift attacker stands him out.
In some matches, when the attackers are not getting the goals, Mbodj is played upfront. He scores the majority of his goals with his head. Neftchi PFK finished second place in the championship last season and Mbodj is one of the players who can help the club aim for the title this season.
Owusu Kwabena
Date of birth: Jun 18, 1997 (23)
Place of birth: Accra Ghana
Height: 1,82 m
Citizenship: Ghana
Position: Forward - Right Winger
Ghanaian professional footballer, Owusu Kwabena plays as a forward for Azerbaijani champions, Qarabag FC. He joined the Azerbaijani club during the Winter transfer windows and was part of the 2019-20 Azerbaijan Premier League winning team. He will have a big part to play as Qarabag hope to retain their title and also qualify for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
Owusu joined Qarabag from Spanish club Córdoba CF. He has also featured for clubs like CD Leganés, Salamanca CF, FC Cartagena and Real Oviedo in Spain.
Alie Sesay
Date of birth: Aug 2, 1994
Place of birth: London England
Age: 26
Height: 1,85 m
Citizenship: Sierra Leone, England
Position: Defender - Centre-Back
Alie Sesay is an English-born Sierra Leonean professional footballer who plays for Azerbaijan Premier League club Zira FK. Sesay who plays as a defender or defensive midfielder opted to play for the Sierra Leone national football team.
He joined Zira in January 2020 from Arda Kardzhali. Zira missed out on featuring in the UEFA Europa League and the club is hoping to clinch the European Cup slot this season.
Sesay started his formative years in Leicester U18 and has also played outside England for the likes of Frej, PAE Chania and Arda Kardzhali. He will be on hand to help Zira contend for the title this season.
