Ligue 1 Recap: Avom and Dieng star as Lorient claim another notable scalp

One of the top stories of the 2025-26 season in France’s Ligue 1 is the return of FC Lorient to the top flight. Now sitting in 9th place after their latest victory, a 2-0 result over top-5 club Olympique Marseille, Les Merlus have laid a strong foundation for next season.

African stars play big roles in success of clubs promoted to Ligue 1

Senegalese forward Bamba Dieng and Cameroon midfielder Arthur Avom were named to the Team of the Week published by L’Équipe. 

Bamba Dieng est 𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘̂𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 🇸🇳👊 pic.twitter.com/LXZnzG6nak

— Ligue 1 McDonald’s (@Ligue1) April 20, 2026

Dieng remains the most in-form forward in the league in 2026 while Avom continues to progress rapidly in French football. Dieng made it eleven goals from sixteen matches this year as he looks to sneak into the Senegal squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Avom, meanwhile, remains a reliable player in the middle of the park who can win the ball while improving his ability to contribute moving forward.

Une attaque de feu et des Merlus en nombre dans l’équipe type de la 30e journée de Ligue 1 > https://t.co/S6zobtJ2mQ pic.twitter.com/7TuDFiba9H

— L’Équipe (@lequipe) April 20, 2026

African internationals are also making major contributions at another club promoted from Ligue 2 for this season, Paris FC, who are three points behind Lorient in 10th place.

Ilan Kebbal has been one of the breakout stars of the season, contributing his 9th goal of the season in a 3-1 victory at Metz.

Quand Ilan Kebbal fait du Ilan Kebbal, ça régale 🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/fFaOwW49uI

— Ligue 1 McDonald’s (@Ligue1) April 20, 2026

The playmaker known for his magical left foot was influential once again over the weekend. He provided five key passes for his teammates and was also active on the defensive end. A bit of a late bloomer who spent his early career in the fifth and fourth tiers of French football, Kebbal is relishing his return to Ligue 1 after prevously spending a season in the top flight with Reims.

Another regular fixture in Team of the Week lists this season is Burkina Faso and Angers goalkeeper Hervé Koffi, who earned plaudits once again in a 1-1 draw with Le Havre.

His club have only won one of their last nine matches but the on loan shot stopper from Lens continues to stand on his head, singlehandedly keeping Les Noirs et Blancs from relegation danger. They are nine points clear of the drop zone with four matches remaining.

One player who will have to produce for his club is Mali national team forward Lassine Sinayoko. Despite his first half goal, Auxerre squandered a 2-0 halftime lead to draw 2-2 at Monaco.

But despite Sinayoko’s 8th goal of the season, Sunday’s result was a missed opportunity. AJA are in 16th place in the relegation playoff position and four points away from safety.

With two home games remaining, one against Koffi’s Angers (May 3) and another against the team immediately ahead of them in OGC Nice, Sinayoko and his teammates will need to earn maximum points and lose their habit of settling for draws.