African footballers comprising of Nigerians, Ghanaians, Ivorians, Cameroonians, Rwandans just to mention a few were first choice with teams like Ajax, Arsenal, Anderlecht, Bayer Munich, PSG, Marseille, KV Mechelen but the market has expanded from Europe to the rest of the world.
In the mid-1980s, former Super Eagles captain Stephen Keshi started the mass exodus of Nigerian players to Belgium. Having been banned alongside some other players for reporting late to camp by the Nigerian Football Association in 1984, Keshi moved to Cote d'Ivoire in 1985 and played first for Stade d' Abidjan and then Africa Sports.
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His impressive performances caught the eyes of Belgian side Lokeren, who snapped him up in 1986. Again, he impressed there and, in no due course, opened the door for multitudes of other African players to play football in other top European countries.
Players such as Abedi Ayew Pele of Ghana, Sie Donald of Cote D’Ivoire, Kalusha Bwalya of Zambia, Desire Mbonabucya of Rwanda and a host of others followed suit and moved to top European clubs to start their European adventure.
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Today, there's a new trend. African players are now flooding the lowly Iraqi league for greener pastures, an indication of the dwindling fortunes of African footballers.
According to statistics, Nigeria, Brazil, Cameroon, and Ghana dominate the list of foreign players in the Iraqi Premier League. Players from Rwanda and other East African countries are gradually following suit.
While Nigeria has 23 players in the Iraqi league which includes 2007 U17 World Cup winner Kingsley Udoh, Brazil has 20, and Ghana has 14 which is made up of 2022/23 Ghana Premier League hot shot Samson Eduku. There is also Shafiu Mumuni, a former captain of Black Stars B. Midfielder Afriyie Acquah, a member of Ghana's 2014 World Cup squad as well as 2015 and 2017 AFCON team, also played in Iraq last season.
Shadrach Eghan, who was rated high above Hakim Ziyech when they were at FC Twente in the Netherlands, also played for Al Zawraa in Iraq.
African players have made their impact felt positively in Iraq. Rwandan central defender Faustina Usengimana has been among the best centre backs in the league for two seasons. Before the 2023 ended, Ghanaian pair of Dennis Agyare Antwi and Prince Opoku Agyemang who play for Al Naft and Dujok respectively were on top of the scoring chat with six goals in nine games.
What makes Iraq a lucrative market for African footballers?
Well, it's not far-fetched. Despite Iraq being ravaged by war over the years, foreign footballers earn considerably well. This season alone, there are over 100 foreigners competing for 20 Iraqi Stars League teams with monthly salaries of between US$5,000 and $40,000.
According to registered football agent Michael Boateng of MAB Sports who mostly does business in Iraq, the clubs pay awesomely
"Do not look at Iraq in the past, you have to look at Iraq now. It is one of the countries where you can make good money,” Boateng told Times Sport.
"Some European countries such as Serbia, Greece, Sweden, Finland, Albania and others don't pay that. A foreign player in the Iraqi topflight gets from $5000 to $40,000 a month aside winning bonus. Signing on fee, the least a player in a first tier team gets in Iraq is $50,000."
"They offer good conditions also and life there in Iraq is very good for African footballers."
Iraqi club Zakho FC made an offer for Muhadjiri Hakizimana in July 2023. The Police FC deputy skipper was scheduled to take signing on fee of $70,000 and a monthly salary of $7000. The deal was blocked by his club and it brought an impasse between the two parties.
Just this ongoing 2024 winter transfer season in Iraq, Al Quwa, who currently lead the Iraqi league, signed former APR skipper Djabel Manishimwe whose contract with USM Khenchela in Algeria was abrogated.
Duhok SC have also acquired APR's Cameroonian centre back Salomon Banga Bindjeme. There could be others moving from the Rwanda League to Iraq before the window ends.
Foreign footballers, particularly Africans, have made the Iraqi Stars League more competitive. Since the establishment of the league on August 19, 1974, it was in the dark until 2017 when it started to be more vibrant following the influx of African and Brazilian footballers.
Each club in the Iraqi first tier is allowed to sign a maximum of six foreign outfield players, of which up to five can play at any given time. There is also a policy that not more than two players from foreign countries ranked below 90th in the FIFA Men's World Ranking can play at any given time. They mostly prefer Africans and Brazilians for their foreign quota.
In terms of finance, facilities and others, Iraq is a great place for African footballers. However, it hasn't been a bed of roses for others as some Africans are reportedly roaming the streets of Baghdad and other major cities, after they were unable to secure contracts in the country.