Nigeria, Ivory Coast Among Most Valuable African Countries Ahead of March International Break

• The Super Eagles of Nigeria are the most valuable national side in Africa
• The West African country lost the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations last month
• Host and winners of the AFCON, Ivory Coast, are second on the MVP list

In most European leagues, club football has paused for the FIFA-approved March international break, with players linking up with their national teams for two games.

African countries will assemble their players for the first time since the end of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which ended last month and was won by hosts, Ivory Coast.

Sports Brief looks at Africa's top five most valuable squads ahead of the friendlies, via Transfermarkt.

Most valuable African countries

1. Nigeria

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The AFCON finalists have the most valuable team on the continent with a squad value of €345.5 million, owing mainly to starman, Victor Osimhen’s astronomic market value of €110mil. The Super Eagles will be without the Napoli forward for the friendlies against Ghana and Mali due to injury, per BSN Sports.

2. Ivory Coast

The African champions are back in action for the first time since winning the tournament on home soil. They have friendlies against Benin and Uruguay lined up. They have the second-highest squad value at €315.58mil. Highly-rated Sporting CP defender, Ousmane Diomande, is the most valuable player, with a market value of €40mil.

3. Morocco

The 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists are third on the list with a squad value of €294.40mil. Morocco were tipped for glory at AFCON, but their journey unfortunately ended in the Round of 16 after a 2-0 loss to South Africa. Achraf Hakimi leads the team with a market value of €65mil. Mauritania and Angola are their opponents this month.

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4. Senegal

2021 African champions, Senegal, have a squad with a combined market value of €269.4mil. Their bid to defend their title at the last AFCON was ended in the Round of 16 by eventual winners, Ivory Coast. They play Gabon and Benin in the friendlies this month. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Pape Matar Sarr, has the highest value of €40mil.

5. Algeria

The North African nation has a squad of €238.55mil, the last country in the confederation above the 200-million mark. AC Milan star, Ismael Bennacer, is valued at €35mil and is the most valuable player. They will face Bolivia and South Africa in the friendlies.

Osimhen and Nwabali overlooked by CAF

Sports Brief previously reported on CAF overlooking Osimhen and Stanley Nwabali in the AFCON 2023 'team of the tournament' despite helping Nigeria to the final.

The three Super Eagles stars included in the list were the reigning African Footballer of the Year's teammates, William Troost-Ekong, Ola Aina, and Ademola Lookman.