The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Italian Republic, Luigi Di Maio, the Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide, in the presence of the Ambassador of Italy to Ethiopia, Agostino Palese and the AICS (Italian Agency for Development Cooperation) Head of Office of Addis Abeba, Isabella Lucaferri signed a bilateral agreement for the “Building integrated agro-industrial parks in Oromia, Amhara, SNNPR and Tigray” initiative.
The signing of the agreement gives way to the subsidised loan of 22 million euros to the Ethiopian government through which the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation supports the creation of integrated agro-industrial parks in Ethiopia.
Agriculture remains the main production sector in Ethiopia, and the transition from a traditional production model to a more business-oriented one – based on market demand – is essential to meet the needs of the growing local agri-food industry and the demand of consumers, both in the country and abroad.
The agro-industrial parks, envisaged by the initiative, are designed to be integrated into the territory. This means that parks aim to contribute to value addition and local development, as well as to positively impact the economy of rural areas and the growing rural-urban migration phenomenon.
Italian cooperation
Best 6 African footballers in the Serie A 2021/2022
It is a known fact that African players are fast becoming trailblazers across major football leagues globally, with glittering performances as documented on https://www.telecomasia.net/sports-betting/tips/football/.
The likes of Salah, Mane, Aubameyang, Ndidi, and Iheanacho are a few of the very successful African players today.
While the spotlight is often on those African players in the English premier league, others are scattered worldwide in other major and minor leagues.
Serie A is one of the other major leagues with talented African players performing at spectacular levels.
The following few paragraphs briefly highlight the career of six African footballers in the just concluded Serie A league.
Here we go!
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
This Napoli Young Striker was crowned as the league’s most valuable player for the 2021/2022 season. This is not far-fetched considering his sterling performance even before moving to Italy.
This 23-year-old forward joined Napoli in 2020 on a whopping record deal of €81.3 million, and he has delivered consistently for his team.
In the just concluded league run, Victor netted 14 goals in 26 appearances, despite being out for two straight months for a facial injury.
These goals contributed to helping his team clinch the third position at the end of the season. There is no doubt this brilliant youngster still has a lot of tricks up his sleeves that will unfold in his coming days at Napoli.
- Frank Kessie (Ivory Coast)
This Ivorian has earned his spot among the league’s top players following his fantastic performance that contributed to AC Milan winning the league.
Kessie is spending his third year at the Rossoneri and has perfectly fitted into the squad at the midfield to central midfield positions.
It is safe to say that Kessie has sharpened his skill on the grounds of San Siro, netting 6 goals in 31 appearances in the just concluded ‘21/’22 season.
Unfortunately, this brilliant midfielder is set to leave AC Milan on a free transfer to Barcelona for the ‘22/’23 season.
- Kalidou Kouibaly (Senegal)
Kalidou ranked as the best defender in the just completed season and remains one of the best in Europe.
Thanks to Kalidou, Napoli have emerged with one of the most impressive defenses in the league.
Despite being a defender, Kalidou scored 3 goals with 2 assists to his name in 24 appearances.
Is he a bit too old as he closes on 31 years? Definitely not.
An objective analysis of Kalidou’s performance on the pitch reveals he is still a force to reckon with. After a seven-year run with Napoli, there are speculations about a possible move to Chelsea or Barcelona for this Senegalese National.
He is currently valued at €45 million, making him a fair bargain when considering the fortune Man United paid for the disappointing Maguire.
- Musa Barrow (Gambia)
Although Bologna finished in the 13th position in the league, Musa surely created a glowing image for himself during the season.
Musa had a staggering 30-match appearance with 5 goals and 6 assist to his name. His impressive capability comes from his ability to function as a left-winger and a midfielder if needed.
Musa’s contribution to the team was instrumental in saving Bologna from relegation at the end of the season. A notable achievement of Musa at Bologna includes being a one-time highest goal scorer when he joined in January 2020, halfway into that season.
A combination of all these superb capabilities and achievements have earned Musa a spot on this list of best African players.
- Felix Afena-Gyan (Ghana)
One outstanding quality of Felix is that he is the youngest on this list. At 19, he made 17 appearances with 2 goals for AS Roma in the just concluded season.
His exceptional performance as a center forward with clinical ball control and vision has gradually earned him more playing time under Jose Mourinho since his October debut.
With a contract that is due to expire in 2025 at AS Roma, Felix has massive potential to achieve great milestones and grow.
Without a doubt, the future is bright for this talented youngster in the world of football, both on the club and international sides.
- Ismael Bennacer (Algeria)
This Algerian national has had quite an interesting time in Serie A. He joined AC Milan in 2019 on a five-year deal following a terrific season in Empoli (Serie B).
He contributed immensely to Milan’s success in the ‘21/’22 season, scoring crucial goals that helped the team win deciding matches.
His goal against Cagliari helped Milan stay on top of the league. With 31 appearances and 3 goals, it is clear that Ismael is a brilliant star gunning for the center stage in European football.
Moving forward
From this list, it is crystal clear that Africans are doing well in Serie A, and it can only get better.
As plans are in gear to start a new season soon, these players are worthy of our attention with their outstanding profiles and promising prospect. Do well to be on the lookout for them on the pitch.
How Kessie fits in at Barcelona
Ivorian player Franck Kessie will join Xavi’s FC Barcelona for next season. His signing came as a surprise because he was expected to renew with Milan after his great campaign and because his style of play is not so compatible with the Catalan team.
The Spanish club hopes to regain the La Liga title and compete in the Champions League, and Kessie is one of the instruments they will use to achieve this. Going to https://bookmaker-ratings.net.za/bookmakers-homepage/ to bet on them, or your favourite team, next season is a good idea because here are the best places to do it with the best odds.
Kessie helped Milan to their first scudetto in 11 years, an important part of the Rossoneri midfield, but is he any good for Barcelona?
Style of play
He is a very powerful player, with an impressive physique that makes him a defensive wall in midfield. With the ball at his feet, he is very vertical and has an imposing shot. He can put the football wherever he wants.
He is the engine of the teams where he normally plays, but he has more offensive characteristics and a game based on his physical power.
Furthermore, he played 5 years in Milan where he appeared in 224 games and scored 39 goals, a very high figure for a defensive midfielder. This speaks of his attacking ability.
Where does he fit in Xavi’s system?
Xavi plays 433, and the pivot is Sergio Busquets, a player completely opposite to Kessie, “Busi” has much more cadence and relies on his reading of the game to dictate Barcelona’s rhythm, which is to play and have the ball, let the opposition run.
This is where one wonders why they brought Kessie in. He is a player who runs, hits, and then goes on the attack. The idea is for him to take the Spaniard’s position, but it looks difficult for him to replicate what he does.
The Ivorian is a completely vertical player, it’s going to be difficult for him to play so far back and with so much defensive responsibility, and Barcelona risk his adaptation taking a long time, and if there’s one thing they don’t have at the Camp Nou, it’s patience.
Another way in which he could be used is as an attacking midfielder, a position he doesn’t occupy often, but because of his characteristics, it could be easy for him. You take offensive responsibility away from him, move him forward a few metres and always put him in front of the goal.
But to put him there is to take a place away from players who have shone like Pedri, Gavi and even Frenkie de Jong, who if he stays will have to fight with the Ivorian for the position and this is good because that internal competition raises the level of the team.
Barcelona’s game is not so explosive and a player like the African might be wasted because he needs that verticality and to use his physicality, which he might not use in Barcelona.
Xavi has the ability to use his players according to their characteristics, and a player like Kessie offers something that Barça doesn’t have, which is physicality. When Adama Traore arrived he was immediately noticed. Later on, his level dropped, but if they manage to exploit the Ivorian’s talent and physicality, Barcelona can add a very dangerous weapon to their arsenal.
Undoubtedly, the Catalan club found in Franck Kessie a great element, and the best thing is that he came for free. The midfielder is attracted by the idea of playing under Xavi, and that helps him to adapt to what the coach asks for.
To start with, it’s not clear how he can fit into the team. It will be a matter of time and games to see if he works. Will Kessie succeed at Barcelona?
The Dream Squad of the African teams in the World Cup
For Qatar, the African teams have many world-class players and if they were to combine, they would undoubtedly be one of the best teams in the world.
From goalkeeper to striker, there are certain players who make a difference in their teams, and with their national team, they are starters and stars. For this tournament, each of them will be making history in the most important national team tournament in the world.
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This is the Dream Team of the African continent for this World Cup.
Goalkeeper: Edoudard Mendy
The Chelsea goalkeeper is one of the best in the world, and with his national team, he is virtually impenetrable. He was the best goalkeeper in the African Cup of Nations, and last year he was the best in Europe.
This season he has had some ups and downs and a couple of mistakes that cost Chelsea the Champions League title, but the World Cup is an important moment to recover his level and prove that he is the best on the continent.
- Right-back: Achraf Hakimi
The Moroccan has become one of the best full-backs in the world, with PSG he showed his great level, although he could not crown it with the Champions League, he was one of the best weapons of the team offensively, and defensively, he was impassable.
His partnership with Mbappé is spectacular and before that, at Madrid, he took over the right-wing where Benzema was one of his best allies. He plays with the best and is at the level of the best. Surely, at the World Cup, he will raise his bonuses and try to make a difference for Morocco.
- Centre-back: Kalidou Koulibaly
The Napoli defender is so good that Barcelona and Premier League teams are looking for him. He is strong, fast, and a leader. He is the captain of his national team and African champion, without a doubt, he is in a spectacular moment.
With Senegal, he has the task of making history. Starting with the defence they have nothing to worry about with this strong defender who is likely to end up as one of the greats of Europe.
- Centre-back: Romain Saiss
The Wolverhampton defender is the captain of his national team and leader of a squad that normally struggles in the Premiership. His versatility makes him also play in midfield because of his physical strength and vision.
Saiss, who is in charge of commanding his team and being the first outlet pass, normally his good touch of the ball makes him a threat, even if he plays 80 metres away from the opponent’s goal. At the World Cup, he will try to be the backbone of his national team, which wants to make an impact on the world stage.
5: Left full-back: Saliou Ciss
A speedster who takes possession of the left flank of the pitch, he moves up and down relentlessly and offensively and defends neatly. He was one of the best players when Senegal were crowned African champions this year and is sure to be one of the team’s best weapons.
At the moment he is living a great level with his team in France and with his national team, the World Cup is an important showcase to prove that he is a great player and that he deserves to be in one of the best in the world.
- Centre midfielder: André Frank Anguissa
The Napoli midfielder is a vacuum cleaner, everything that happens in his area he takes and distributes to his teammates correctly, when the Neapolitan team was in the first places he was one of the elements responsible for the order of the team, and pivot with similar characteristics to Busquets.
Besides, his physical strength and great ball striking make him a dangerous player in the offensive phase of the team. The World Cup is another opportunity for Cameroon, and Anguissa is the centerpiece of the Indomitable Lions.
7. Right midfielder: Hannibal Mejbri
He is a center-half, but can start on the right to play behind the strikers. This talented Tunisian is at Manchester United, and although he has not been able to play much in England, his quality is unquestionable.
With his national team, he is just beginning his journey, but in this World Cup he will surely be one of the players who will shine the most, as he needs to be seen to convince Erik Ten Hag of his worth and he can start earning minutes at Old Trafford.
- Centre-half: Thomas Partey
The Arsenal midfielder is a bull in the middle, strong, quick and with a lot of judgment when he has the ball, he is one of the most important players of the Gunners and the Black Stars.
With Atlético, he was not given the chance to shine as he would have liked, but at Arsenal, he found a place. Although the team was not so good, Partey was always important in Arteta’s system and with his national team, he is undisputed. He will be the driving force for Ghana in this World Cup.
- Left midfielder: Erik Maxim Choupo-Moting
He is a nominal centre-forward, but is no stranger to the left flank, where he has done well with his physical power and speed.
With Bayern, he is used in all areas of the attack with good results and is an excellent replacement. With his national team, he is one of the starters who always sets the rhythm of the team. This World Cup is perfect for Erik and his national team, as they are in good shape and looking forward to remembering those times when Cameroon used to surprise the world.
- Forward: Vincent Aboubakar
One of the best African strikers of the moment, the leader of his national team, and a natural goalscorer. A predator in the penalty area with tremendous strength and enviable vision. Aboubakar could easily play for any big European club.
In the African Cup, he could not do more to give Cameroon the title and this World Cup is his revenge because he knows that this moment of form is difficult to get it again, so he wants to take advantage of it.
- Sadio Mané
The best player in Africa, and perhaps, after Benzema, the best striker in the world. With Liverpool, he lived a wonderful moment that he could not crown with the Champions League. He won almost everything he played, including the national team.
For the World Cup, he wants to take the team on his shoulders to give happiness to his country and make world history. It won’t be easy because there are tough opponents in front of him, but Mané is one of the best in the world, and playing against world-class guys is just another day at the office for him.
Do you like the line-up, and who else would you put in from the teams going to Qatar?
