With Mo Salah and Sadio Mane shining on a regular basis in the Premier League, Champions League and, more recently, the African Cup of Nations it’s a reminder to us all that Africa as a continent should not be underestimated or dismissed when it comes to producing world class footballers. Whilst the quantity may not be there, the quality certainly is. Below we take a look at the 10 best African Wonderkids in FIFA 22.
Best African Wonderkids in FIFA 22
10. Hannibal Mejbri (Manchester United: CAM, CM)
Fans of Manchester United will be well aware of the potential Tunisian Hannibal Mejbri possesses. The 18-year-old is a creative midfielder with a quick turn of pace, excellent agility and the ability to see and pick a pass. Technically he’s nowhere near the finished article with short passing, dribbling, finishing and vision attributes all under 70, but given his potential rating of 84 in FIFA 22 the teenager is definitely one to look out for in the future.
9. Odilon Kossounou (Bayer Leverkusen: CB, RB)
Rated 74 by the age of 20, Odilon Kossounou is a commanding centre back with a potential of 84 in FIFA 22. The Ivorian joined Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen in 2021 where he’s slowly cementing himself as a first team regular. Standing 6 ft 3” tall and blessed with 74 heading accuracy, Kossounou is dominant in the air. Defensively he’s solid and switched on with 75 sliding tackles, 75 standing tackles and 72 defensive awareness. Add to that 80 strength, 81 sprint speed and 74 aggression and it’s clear to see why he’s one of Africa’s most promising defenders.
8. Wilfried Singo (Torino: RWB, RB, RM)
A modern day full back who’s more effective offensively than he is defensively Wilfried Stephane Singo provides a serious threat in the final third with 81 sprint speed, 72 dribbling and 72. Also capable of playing right midfield, the 20-year-old Ivorian received his first senior international cap in 2021 after impressing in Italy, where he’s featured more than 50 times for Torino. Despite lacking defensive awareness, power and positioning Singo is highly rated on FIFA 22 with an overall rating of 71 and a potential of 84.
7. Alhassan Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC: CDM, CM)
An industrial, combative midfielder with a potential of 84 20-year-old Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi currently plays in Belgium for Royal Antwerp FC. Best suited to the box-to-box role the Nigerian brings bags of energy and pace to the heart of midfield with 91 stamina, 89 agility and 82 acceleration. An accomplished passer of the ball, with 71 short passing and 74 composure in FIFA 22, he’s capable of dictating the tempo and with 76 aggression and 71 interceptions the youngster already has the ability and footballing brain to break up play and regain possession, a vital skill set for all midfield generals.
6. Abdallah Sima (Stoke: RM, ST)
Currently on loan at Stoke in the Championship from Brighton, Abdullahi Dipo Sima is a versatile winger who can also play through the middle as an out and out striker. Rated 72 overall with a potential of 84 the 20-year-old has pace in abundance with 86 acceleration and 89 sprint speed.
His final ball needs improving with crossing and short passing both below 70 in FIFA 22, but the Senegal international has a serious eye for goal with 74 finishing, 72 composure and 76 heading accuracy. He’s dangerous from distance too with 74 shot power and 73 long shots. Sima made his senior international debut at the age of 19 in 2021 and has since earned four caps for Senegal.
5. Yayah Kallon (Genoa: RW, CF, CAM)
There’s plenty of room for improvement with 20-year-old Yayah Kallon, but with a potential rating of 85 in FIFA 22 he’s definitely one to persevere with. Typically deployed out wide on the right wing for Genoa the Sierra Leone youngster is able to utilise his 77 dribbling and 81 acceleration to take on defenders, whilst 72 ball control and 73 agility allow him to retain possession in tight areas.
Given Kallon enjoys getting to the byline and sticking balls in the box, his crossing and all round end product needs serious improvement if he’s to make it at the top level. In FIFA 22 the winger has 50 crossing and 60 short passing which is nowhere near good enough at the top level. Thankfully he has time on his side to work on his game.
4. Amad Diallo Traoré (Rangers: RM)
Amad Diallo is another promising African talent on the books of Manchester United. Currently on loan at Rangers in Scotland, where it’s hoped the 18-year-old will gain valuable first time experience, Diallo is an explosive, nifty winger with plenty of tricks up his sleeve. Predominantly left footed but with a four star weak foot rating on FIFA 22 the teenager is unpredictable.
He has the raw pace – 83 acceleration and 79 sprint speed – to beat a man on the outside and get to the byline and ridiculously good close ball control allowing him to cut inside and retain possession where space is much more restricted . Despite his age the Ivorian teenager already has a good footballing brain, which is backed up in FIFA 22 with 74 positioning. Diallo is still only rated 68 overall but with a potential of 85 it’s easy to see why there’s a huge buzz surrounding the kid.
3. Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig: CM)
Born in Guinea and raised in Spain, Ilaix Moriba is a product of the famous La Masai at Barcelona but now finds himself contracted to RB Leipzig in Germany. Despite representing the country he grew up in at U17 and U18 level Moriba opted to play for his motherland Guinea, making his debut for the senior national team in January 2022 before playing in his first AFCON tournament later that month.
A technically gifted centre midfielder with 73 sprint speed and 76 stamina, the 18-year-old is already rated 73 with a potential of 85 in FIFA 22. As you’d expect from all La Masai graduates, Moriba is comfortable on the ball and can pick a pass with 76 short passing and 75 long passing. Finishing. Dribbling. Tackling. Honestly, the kid’s got it all and can play numerous roles in midfield including box to box, ball winner and advanced playmaker. He’ll sit deep and dictate play too if required. He’s a terrific player and will only get better with time.
2. Kamaldeen Sulemana (Stade Rennais: LM, ST)
They say there’s no substitute for pace in football and 19-year-old Kamaldeen Sulemana certainly isn’t struggling in that department. With 94 acceleration and 93 sprint speed in FIFA 22 the kid’s absolutely electric. But he’s more than just a speed merchant.
Already rated 75 overall with a potential of 85 the Ghanaian winger, who can also play up top as a striker, is a tricky customer with four star skill moves, 80 dribbling and 79 ball control. Add to that 90 agility and 89 balance and you’ll find few players, if any, in world football better at riding tackles and skipping past defenders at pace.
Unlike most players his age the Stade Rennais teenager is composed in front of goal and is blessed with 72 finishing and 75 composure. Whilst not prolific his goal scoring record is decent at club level, averaging a goal every three games – that’s not to be sniffed at.
1.Mohammed Kudus (Ajax: CAM, CM)
There’s nowhere better in world football for youngsters to be learning their trade than at Ajax, and 20-year-old midfielder Mohammed Kudus is certainly benefiting from his time in Holland. Poached from FC Nordsjælland in the summer of 2020, Mohammed Kudus has since made 22 appearances for the senior Ajax team where he’s developing into a serious talent.
Technically gifted the Ghanaian international is often deployed as a CAM where he can utilise his 76 short passing and 75 vision to split defences open. He’s also capable of beating a man with 81 dribbling, 81 ball control and four star skill moves.
Despite his age Kudus possesses a clever footballing brain, which is reflected in FIFA 22 with 75 vision and 74 positioning. And unlike other promising youngsters in his position he has end product. 72 finishing and 77 show power mean he’s a threat in and around the box. Already rated 77 overall, Kudus has a potential rating of 85 and is Africa’s hottest prospect in FIFA 22.
There’s no new Mo Salah or Sadio Mane. In fact there’s no clear, stand out African star breaking through and making waves. But with five players all with a potential of 85 in FIFA 22, what the continent does have is an abundance of elite talent slowly developing across the pond at some of Europe’s top teams.
