Moussa Niakhaté among finalists for Ligue 1’s top African player | OneFootball

Moussa Niakhaté has been named on the three-player shortlist for the Marc-Vivien Foé award, which recognises the best African player in Ligue 1. According to Le Progres, the OL and Senegal defender is in contention after a standout campaign.

His first season at OL was solid yet erratic, and the €32m fee, paid by John Textor to his friend Evangelos Marinakis at Nottingham Forest, was viewed as somewhat suspect. Since summer 2025, he has largely won over Lyon.

At 30, he is the organiser at the back, vice-captain and a respected dressing-room leader, and he has logged the second-most minutes in the squad, behind Clinton Mata.

He was also crowned at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, underlining his form.

Niakhaté is competing with his compatriot Lamine Camara of AS Monaco and with Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangaré of RC Lens to succeed PSG’s Moroccan, Achraf Hakimi. A specialist jury will reveal the winner on 11 May, the day after Toulouse - OL.

Source: Le Progres