The contenders for the highly regarded Prix Marc-Vivien Foé have been revealed for the 2023 edition of the annual award. The accolade, which honours the best African footballer in France’s top-flight Ligue 1 division, will see Ivorian midfielder Seko Fofana, who was named the best African player in Ligue 1 last year, defending his crown. The winner of the award will be announced by RFI and France 24 on May 30, with an impressive line-up of 11 candidates vying for the prize, leaving the outcome in the balance.
Commemorating Foe’s contributions to football.
The Prix Marc-Vivien Foé is a fitting tribute to the late Cameroonian footballer Marc-Vivien Foé, who tragically passed away in 2003 after collapsing during a Confederations Cup match between Cameroon and Colombia. The award recognises the contributions of African footballers in French football, celebrating their achievements on the pitch. The award was established in 2009 and is decided upon by a panel of journalists from Radio France Internationale and France 24, along with a group of African football experts.
Foé began his football career with Cameroon’s Canon Yaoundé, before signing for Lens in France, where he won the French League Cup in 1998. He went on to play for Lyon, helping them to two French league titles and being named the club’s player of the year in 2002. Foé’s career also saw him play for West Ham United and Manchester City in the English Premier League. Foé’s untimely passing shocked the football world, leading to tributes and remembrances that continue to this day. In his memory, the Confederations Cup trophy was renamed the FIFA Confederations Cup Trophy “Marc-Vivien Foé” and his number 17 jersey was retired by Cameroon and Lyon for one season in 2003-2004.
The Prix Marc-Vivien Foé not only recognises the talent and skill of African footballers in Ligue 1, but also highlights the significant contributions they make to French football. Many African players have made a name for themselves in the league, including the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba, and Riyad Mahrez, all of whom have won numerous awards and accolades throughout their careers.
11- Man shortlist for 2023.
This year’s list of nominees includes a diverse group of players from across the continent, showcasing the talent and depth of African football. Alongside defending champion Seko Fofana, the list includes the likes of Yunis Abdelhamid, Mama Baldé, Mohamed Camara, Habib Diallo, Achraf Hakimi, Chancel Mbemba, Terem Moffi, Marshall Munetsi, Hamari Traoré, and Salis-Abdul Samed.
Seko Fofana has continued to impress on the pitch, leading his team, Lens, with both poise and flair, despite them missing out on the title. However, with such a strong line-up of contenders, the outcome of the award remains uncertain. RFI and France 24 will reveal the winner on May 30, and the football world will be eagerly anticipating the announcement.
Foé’s contributions to the sport are commemorated in a number of ways, including the renaming of the Confederations Cup trophy and the retirement of his number 17 jersey by both Cameroon and Lyon. The Prix Marc-Vivien Foé is just one more way in which his legacy lives on, celebrating the best of African football in France and honouring the spirit of the late great Marc-Vivien Foé.