Ligue 1: Candidate list revealed for Prix Marc-Vivien Foé

The list of candidates to win Ligue 1’s Prix Marc-Vivien Foé have been announced with eleven African national team players and players of African descent in contention to win the award for the French top flight’s best African player.

 

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Last season’s winner was Morocco superstar Achraf Hakimi but the Paris Saint-Germain flank player is not in contention this time around. With the exception of Gabon and Marseille forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, all of the candidates come from West Africa or North Africa.

From North Africa, there are two players listed who represent Algeria. Veteran defender Aïssa Mandi of Lille is enjoying perhaps the best season of his career at the age of 34, anchoring one of the strongest defenses in Ligue 1 to help Les Dogues to third place on the table.

Un choc face à la RD Congo en quart de finale pour Aïssa Mandi, patron de la défense algérienne 🇩🇿💪 pic.twitter.com/cqRySErTXo

— Ligue 1 McDonald’s (@Ligue1) January 6, 2026

Mandi is joined by Paris FC playmaker Ilan Kebbal who continues to thrive with the newly-promoted club. The 27-year-old has 8 goals and 4 assists in 27 league matches this season.

West Africa’s Ligue 1 stars dominate list

The remainder of the list is mostly populated by players of West African national teams. Senegal has three players on the list, including Olympique Lyonnais central defender Moussa Diakhaté, Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara and on fire Lorient forward Bamba Dieng.

While Diakhaté and Camara are important members of the Senegal national team, Dieng’s story of redemption has been one to watch this season as the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions makes a serious push for a place on Senegal’s 2026 World Cup squad.

316 jours après sa dernière réalisation dans l’élite, Bamba Dieng retrouve le chemin du but 🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/OFgu5jdNTQ

— Ligue 1 McDonald’s (@Ligue1) January 7, 2026

Ivory Coast is represented by two players who are members of The Elephants. Wide player Guela Doué is joined by club teammate Martial Godo, who are both enjoying strong campaigns with Strasbourg.

Godo, who previously represented England at youth level but struggled to find regular playing time at Fulham FC, is realizing his potential at Strasbourg with eight goals this season.

4e but en 4 matchs pour Martial Godo 🇨🇮💪 pic.twitter.com/lXleJeq98j

— Ligue 1 McDonald’s (@Ligue1) February 11, 2026

Burkina Faso also provides two players to the list, with Lorient left back Arsène Kouassi making the list as well as goalkeeper Hervé Koffi.

Koffi has been sublime on loan at Angers SCO from RC Lens, at times singlehandedly earning his team points to keep them away from relegation danger.

L’Étalon Hervé Koffi 🇧🇫 pic.twitter.com/ioqg9Yi2J9

— Ligue 1 McDonald’s (@Ligue1) October 8, 2025

And rounding out the list is Aubameyang, the Gabonese star forward who continues to discover the Fountain of Youth at Olympique Marseille. The 36-year-old has 13 goals and 9 assists in all competitions this season.

Last but far from least is RC Lens central midfielder Mamadou Sangaré, who also represents Mali in international competition. He may be the most impactful player on the list when it comes to contributing on both ends of the pitch, with tireless performances in the center of the park.