Feature: Spain's La Liga - The African Mark

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Spain’s La Liga is one of the most competitive leagues in the world. Boasting world-renowned clubs and scores of talented players, Spain’s top division is a breeding ground of first-rate action. African players have had an increasing role in the fortunes of Spanish teams for some time now.
Recently, Spain announced Africans playing on Spanish clubs would no longer occupy berths allocated for non-European Union players (each team is allowed three non-EU players). Basically, Africans count as Spaniards. Expect an influx of African talent in the coming years.
Here, we take a look at some of the best players from Africa currently showcasing their talent in the Spanish league.

Sunny – Stephen Sunday, nicknamed Sunny has a well-known story: beginning his career in his native Nigeria with Lagos-based amateur clubs, Sunday participated in various youth championships. In Madrid, he impressed so much that he was given a contract with Poli Ejido, the club’s director legally adopting him so he could play. Sunny has yet to pledge his international allegiance but played for Spain at the 2007 U-20 World Cup, where he impressed with his superb passing and dribbling skills. Sunny’s talents sparked the interests of Manchester United and Real Madrid, but Valencia were able to pry the midfielder away from the 2nd division side. Sunday’s been compared to Michael Essien, with an uncanny ability to keep the ball moving while finding space on the pitch. While not a regular at Valencia, Sunny’s talents can’t be contained and it’ll be hard for new coach Ronald Koeman to keep the youngster on the bench.

Yaya Toure – While the Ivorian’s signing by Barcelona was lost in the hubbub over Thierry Henry’s mega transfer, Toure’s move might be more significant in the long-term. Touré, a defensive midfielder, is the younger brother of Arsenal defender Kolo Touré. After spells for clubs in Belgium and Ukraine, he joined Barcelona from Monaco.
Barca were quick to snatch up the imposing stopper after being nipped for the Spanish championship last year by Real Madrid. Defense was one of Barca’s liabilities. The young Ivorian’s size will plug holes effectively.
Toure’s passing acumen reminds scouts of Patrick Viera. He’s got some ways to go before he can surpass the French master. But what’s clear is his vision of the field and his offensive eye for goal. Toure’s not one to sit back and let the action come to him, but more content to dribble and be proactive. A veritable box-to-box player, Barca has found Toure to be exactly what they needed.

Uche - Ikechukwu Uche from Getafe is one of Spain’s most highly-rated young stars. The Nigerian-born striker’s 20 goals lead Spain’s Second Division in 2006 and sparked Recreativo de Huelva’s promotion to La Liga for only the 3rd time in their existence. Uche’s efficient ball control and scoring acumen opened many eyes and earned him a move to Madrid-based Getafe. He’s off to a slow start so far, scoring 1 goal in 12 league games. But Uche’s talent will rise to the surface in time, barring he keeps mentally focused.  "The team is the important thing, but if I can score, so much the better." He’s in line for a call-up to Nigeria’s senior squad for the 2008 Cup of Nations, possibly pushing Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins to the sidelines. 

Samuel Eto’o – The quintessential striker, the Cameroonian is one of the most celebrated players in the world. Never mind Henry or Ronaldhino: Eto’o is the heartbeat of Barcelona.
The three-time African Player of the Year has suffered debilitating injuries the past two seasons. This year, he’s insisting on representing Cameroon in the Cup of Nations despite featuring for Barcelona only once. This has raised concerns in the Barca boardroom but Eto’o will have none of it, demanding he serve his nation. No one can say Sam isn’t passionate, publicly berating his former employer Real Madrid with obscenities after Barca won the Liga title in 2005 and engaging in rumored spats with teammates. He’s also outspoken about the racism problem in Spain. In one of the most memorable moments in Liga history, during an away match in Zaragoza, Eto'o walked off the pitch in protest after racist taunting from the crowd. Video of the incident captured him saying "No más" ("No more") as he walked to the sidelines. Eventually, his teammates convinced him to continue playing, but the incident sparked international debate about the racism problem in football.  Eto'o no longer brings his children to matches. "It is something that has affected me personally. I think players, leaders, and the media have to join forces so that no one feels looked down upon because of the colour of their skin. At this moment in time I prefer my children don't go to football matches. In the stands they have to listen to things that are difficult to explain to a child. It is better they aren't exposed to it." A passionate player and man, Eto’o is a beacon of light for African football.

Kameni – Carlos Kameni is one of the top goalkeepers in Europe, let alone Spain. The Cameroonian plays for Barcelona’s Espanyol football club and was part of the national team at the 2004 Nations Cup. He’s known as an excellent penalty-stopper who makes acrobatic saves.  Kameni became the youngest footballer to win an Olympic gold medal at the age of 16 at the 2000 Games. He guided Espanyol to last year’s UEFA Cup Final, where they lost to fellow Spanish club Sevilla. Kameni will need to be on form to continue Espanyol’s climb up the Liga ladder. They’re hanging in there with the big boys and show no signs of letting up. Kameni has often been linked with moves to Europe's top clubs, including Manchester United. Hopefully the Catalan lineup can keep him and build off his successful record.

Ettien – The Ivory Coast’s Felix Ettien is a fixture at Levante, Valencia’s other football club. He’s been there for 10 years. He’s a physical attacking midfielder who rose to prominence at the 1997 World Youth Championship. Levante came calling soon afterwards. His time at the Valencian unit hasn’t always been easy. From racist abuse to seesawing between La Liga and the 2nd Division, Ettien’s weathered a storm. But he’s battled and succeeded. Not that he sees his struggles as above his countrymen’s. ‘What's happening in my country is very serious and makes me very sad. I am very grateful for what I have got and try to be humble.’ After all his problems, his head’s in the right place.

Mahamadou Diarra – The Malian defensive midfielder made his name in France with Lyon, where manager Gerald Houllier rated him highly. The older brother of Arsenal’s Lassana Diarra, Mahamadou has been successful everywhere he’s gone, winning 4 French titles with Lyon and one with Real Madrid. He’s an efficient defender and was one of Madrid’s best players last season en route to the title. "Diarra is very important to my plans. When he's not in the team we miss him," added Real coach Bernd Schuster.

Frederic Kanoute – Mali’s Kanoute is simply one of the deadliest strikers in the world. Formerly of England’s Tottenham Hotspur, Kanoute’s arrival at Sevilla sparked a renaissance at the club, inspiring them to 2 consecutive UEFA Cup titles and a place in this season’s Champions League. Kanoute is as graceful as they come, known for his deadly finishing on top of his never-say-die attitude. He’s been linked with a return to England and his former club Tottenham, now coached by former Sevilla boss Juande Ramos. Sevilla better hope they don’t lose the lanky Malian striker. They’ll rue the day they let him go.

Seydou Keita – The Malian international plies his trade with Sevilla after stints at Marseille, Lorient and a long stint at Lens, where he eventually served as captain. He moved in the summer of 2007 to the UEFA Cup champions. He’s established himself as a fan favorite for his hard work in providing service to teammate and fellow Malian Kanoute, but also for a spectacular goal against Real Madrid recently.

Aroune Koné - At his unveiling Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido commented that Ivorian Arouna was 'one of the best attackers in the world' and with the striker in their ranks, the Spanish team had the strongest side in their history. He’s probably right. The 24-year old has succeeded everywhere he’s gone, most notably at Holland’s PSV Eindhoven where he throttled in 21 goals in 53 games. While he’s adjusting to Spanish life, the partnership with Mali’s Frederic Kanoute could be one of the most lethal on record. Kone has featured for the Ivory Coast, partnering with Chelsea’s Didier Drogba in the country’s wildly successful 2006 World Cup campaign. It’s only a matter of time before Kone makes his mark in La Liga.

Please forward all press releases and feature ideas to Jake Brown on jake@newafricansoccer.co.uk