The Race For The Premier League: Which Africans Are In The Playoffs?

 

Which of the continent’s top stars are set to compete in the Championship playoffs?

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   The playoffs

   The gruelling 46-game regular Championship season has come to an end, but not for the teams who finished between third and sixth.

   For these four sides, promotion—and a place in the Premier League—is still on the cards, but only if they can navigate the three-game playoff mini tournament.

   Brentford face Bournemouth and Swansea City square off with Barnsley in the two playoff semis, before the winners contest the final at Wembley on May 29.

   Ahead of the knockout double-headers, Goal profile the African stars set to collide with a view on reaching the top flight.

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Brentford

Even after missing out in the final last term, and then cashing in on Said Benrahma, Brentford have maintained their high standards this season and are back in with a shout of reaching the Premier League.

While Anglo-Jamaican striker Ivan Toney is the team’s undisputed star man, Franco-Cameroonian wideman Bryan Mbeumo has maintained his fine form from 2019-20.

The 21-year-old—who has represented France at youth level—has had a hand in 18 goals this year, down from 23 during Brentford’s run to the playoff final last season.

Ghana’s Tarique Fosu-Mensah has struggled upon his arrival from Oxford United, but having had a hand in seven goals this term, could yet make his mark in the playoffs.

Getty

Brentford

Even after missing out in the final last term, and then cashing in on Said Benrahma, Brentford have maintained their high standards this season and are back in with a shout of reaching the Premier League.

While Anglo-Jamaican striker Ivan Toney is the team’s undisputed star man, Franco-Cameroonian wideman Bryan Mbeumo has maintained his fine form from 2019-20.

The 21-year-old—who has represented France at youth level—has had a hand in 18 goals this year, down from 23 during Brentford’s run to the playoff final last season.

Ghana’s Tarique Fosu-Mensah has struggled upon his arrival from Oxford United, but having had a hand in seven goals this term, could yet make his mark in the playoffs.

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   Swansea City

   Another Ghanaian—Andre Ayew—will be confident that he can bring his experience to bear to get his side over the line in this four-team tournament.

   The attacker remains with the Swans—despite attempts to depart—and is currently in his second stint with the Welsh side, having originally signed from Olympique de Marseille in 2015.

   The 31-year-old scored 16 last term to inspire the Welsh side to the playoffs—they ultimately fell short—but has repeated that haul this season and could sign off on his time at the Liberty Stadium in style.