La Liga Southern Africa has named Villarreal’s Nigerian striker Samuel Chukwueze among four outstanding African footballers to have graced the league in the just-ended season.

La Liga Southern Africa has released the list as part of today’s celebrations for Africa Day.

“Samuel Chukwueze will be bitterly disappointed that injury has ruled him out of this week’s Europa League final for Villarreal CF against Manchester United, but the Nigerian Super Eagle has nevertheless enhanced his reputation in LaLiga this season.

“The 21-year-old Nigerian international has quickly established himself as a key player in the Villarreal first team, this season becoming the youngest player to reach 100 appearances for the club, at the age of just 21 years seven months and 12 days,” a statement from La Liga Southern Africa reads.

The list includes Geoffrey Kondogbia of newly crowned champions Atletico Madrid, Sevilla FC’s Morocco international forward Youssef En-Nesyri and his international team-mate, Yassine Bounou.

 “Geoffrey Kondogbia has joined illustrious names such as Samuel Eto’o, Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita to become the latest African LaLiga champion.

“Kondogbia was on the pitch as Atletico de Madrid romped to an exciting title triumph over the weekend and featured 25 times in Atleti’s victorious 2020/21 campaign,” the statement says.

La Liga also recognized En-Nesyri for sensationally becoming the first African player to score back-to-back hat-tricks in LaLiga.

He also helped Sevilla to seal UEFA Champions League qualification slot.

Bounou also received an honourable mention for Sevilla this season for following Carlos Kameni, Thomas N’kono, Jacques Songo’o as goalkeeprs from Africa who excelled in in LaLiga.