After 25 matchdays, only one point separates FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid, the top three, on the LaLiga EA Sports table. You have to go back 32 years for the last time it’s been that close at this stage of the title race.
Each of the top three clubs has some African influence in their squads that will have a say in there the title goes this year.
Morocco international Brahim Diaz, who has played a part in 80 per cent of reigning champions Real Madrid’s LaLiga matches this season, has been used to great effect as a scorer as well as a provider, and he will have an important role to play on all fronts in the run-in for Los Blancos.
Reinildo Mandava, meanwhile, has been a key contributor as a left back in Diego Simeone’s famous defensive system at Atlético de Madrid. It’s the Mozambiquan’s fourth season at club and it could end with his first LaLiga title in Spain.
FC Barcelona’s teenage superstar Lamine Yamal, who has African heritage from both of his parents (his father is from Morocco and his mother is from Equatorial Guinea), has been the best provider in the league with 12 assists this season.
TOP OF THE PILE
The Blaugrana currently sit on the top of the pile and could pull away further if either (or both) of the Madrid teams drop points this weekend. Both Real and Atlético have tough opponents in Real Betis and Athletic Club respectively, which gives Matchday 26 the potential to be a key one in the title race.
Real Betis and Athletic Club both have African stars that could have an impact and shake up the LaLiga EA Sports title race.
Cedric Bakambu Real Betis have shot up the table with only one loss in their last five games in a run that started with Cedric Bakambu’s injury-time winner after coming off the bench against RCD Mallorca.
The forward from DR Congo backed up being picked as a starter the next week with an assist in a 2-2 draw against high-flying Athletic Club.
This weekend, Bakambu’s side will be at home against Real Madrid – a club he scored against when he last played against them back in 2017 when he was at Villarreal CF.
Iñaki Williams Lying six points behind the leaders, Bilbao-based side Athletic Club could really announce themselves as proper title contenders if they can pull off a win at Atlético de Madrid.
If they are to get a great result at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Iñaki Williams will surely have a huge role to play.
The Ghanaian international has made five goal contributions in seven league games including a goal and an assist last week in a 7-1 thrashing of Real Valladolid.
SECOND ALL-TIME RECORD AFRICAN SCORER
Behind the great Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o, Williams is the second all-time record African scorer in LaLiga EA Sports with 81 goals, five of them coming in past league meetings against Atleti.
Youssouf Sabaly The defence of Real Betis has been bolstered by the return of Youssouf Sabaly from muscle injury and it showed in his first game last week with a win against Getafe.
The Ivorian was part of the club’s famous Copa del Rey triumph in 2021/22 and can be relied upon at right back as they compete for a European spot this season.
Sabaly has also offered an attacking threat down the right flank in the past, but he hasn’t really shown that this season. But with the exciting Brazilian winger Antony steadily
cementing his place in the team and making Betis look dangerous in attack, the best of their combination is all to come.
Who will win LaLiga EA Sports this season is anyone’s guess, but one thing you can be sure of is that an African will play a key role in determining where the trophy will end up.
Catch the LaLiga action live on SuperSport DStv Channel 204 this weekend.