LaLiga EA Sports Pits Leganes Against Villarreal
LALIGA’s 2024/25 ‘African Match’ is this weekend’s CD Leganés vs Villarreal CF, tomorrow 6.30pm CET, a match with a significant African contingent on both sides and an occasion on which Spanish football can pay tribute not just to the current African stars in LaLiga EA SPORTS but also their long-lasting contribution over the years.
CD Leganés – who are riding high after picking up their first-ever away win over leaders FC Barcelona this past weekend – boast the likes of Seydouba Cissé (Guinea), Yvan Neyou (Cameroon) and Sébastien Haller (Ivory Coast) in their ranks, while Logan Costa (Cape Verde), Papa Gueye (Senegal) and the Ivorian duo Nicolas Pepe and Eric Bailly are regulars for visitors Villarreal CF.
To mark the occasion, both clubs have prepared a host of video content showcasing these African stars off the field, opening up not only about their connection to football on the continent but also providing a light-hearted insight into their personalities and character. If you’ve ever wondered about the musical tastes, fashion sense or favourite foods of these African LALIGA stars, be sure to check out these unique, fun interviews!
LALIGA has also launched a digital campaign to mark the occasion, offering fans across Africa the chance to guess the result of the match to be in with a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Spain to watch a LALIGA EA SPORTS match or a CD Leganés or Villarreal CF jersey.
CD Leganés, the reigning LALIGA HYPERMOTION champions, have held their own in LALIGA EA SPORTS in their first top-flight season since 2020 and currently sit in 15th place. Cissé and Neyou, who were both instrumental in their title-winning campaign last season, have been almost ever-present.
Out on Spain’s east coast, meanwhile, Villarreal CF’s African trio of Costa, Gueye and Pepe have also been regulars for coach Marcelino as the Yellow Submarine, currently sixth, look to secure a European spot for next season.
While their squads this season feature a strong African contingent, both clubs have a long-standing relationship with the African continent.
CD Leganés are perhaps best known as the club who handed all-time great Samuel Eto’o his LALIGA debut, way back in 1997 against UD Las Palmas, before he went on to become a three-time LALIGA champion with FC Barcelona. The Madrid-based side were also captained by Super Eagles international Kenneth Omeruo during his time at the club (2018-2023) and also boasted the likes of Cameroon’s Allan Nyom and Pierre Webó over the years.
Rivals Villarreal CF also have a strong African tradition, as African internationals such as Boulaye Dia (Senegal), Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast) and Mubarak Wakaso (Ghana) have all starred for the club in recent years. But none perhaps as brightly as Senegal’s Nicolas Jackson, who came through the club’s youth ranks after signing directly from Ziguinchor-based Casa Sports as a 17-year-old and went on to bang in the goals for the senior side before moving to the Premier League with Chelsea FC in 2023.
British Fencing Federation Pledges Technical Support to Nigeria
The President of the British Fencing Federation, Pat Aiyenuro, has pledged her federation’s technical support to the Nigerian Fencing Federation, marking the beginning of a collaboration between the two nations.
Impressed with the organisation of the first fencing World Cup in Sub-Saharan Africa, Aiyenuro noted that assembling some of the world’s best fencers in Lagos confirms Nigeria’s growing status in the sport. She assured that British Fencing would partner with Nigeria to train its personnel, including coaches and referees, to be on par with the rest of the world technically.
“I think we are privileged to have some of the top fencing nations come here and compete. We have a world champion here, which shows that they believe in Nigeria’s ability to host a top-tier competition. I’m impressed; the quality of the fencing is world-class.
“We are already working on a collaboration with the Nigeria Fencing Federation to train more referees and coaches. There is potential here, and the federation is forward-thinking, trying to make these things happen,” she said.
For 17-year-old Oluwashemilore Fashola, competing against some of the best fencers in the world has boosted his confidence ahead of future international tournaments.
“I’m very excited and proud of Nigeria for securing the hosting rights for this competition. It’s a great experience, especially since it’s my first. I’ve met many fencers, and they can see how far Nigeria has come in the sport.
“Currently, I’m very impressed by the level of competition. All the other countries brought their best fencers to participate.
Even though fencing isn’t very popular here, and many of us haven’t been doing it for long or consistently, we have still managed to go far. It’s a significant achievement since we were up against some of the best in the world.
“What we can do to improve is to participate in more competitions and keep facing these top fencers. We also need to continue training diligently,” he added.
