Top 5 Most Valuable African National Teams, From Morocco to Nigeria

• African football stars are in the national team camp following the conclusion of the 2023/24 club football season
• Most of Africa's best players are from West and North African teams, like Victor Osimhen, Achraf Hakimi and Nicolas Jackson
• Morocco is the most valuable African national team despite their poor 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Ivory Coast

Club football in most parts of the world is done and dusted, and attention is now shifting to international football.

In Africa, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations took place earlier this year, and teams are preparing for crucial 2026 World Cup matches this month.

Over the course of the 2023/24 season, African players showcased their talents for their respective clubs by contributing to success.

Which is the best football club in Africa, and why is it the best?

Football

On the African continent, West African and North African players stole the show in Europe. Ademola Lookman, Victor Boniface, Mohamed Salah, and Serhou Guirassy are some of the African players who impressed during the 2023/24 club football season.

The 2023 AFCON gave us a clear picture of the quality of African teams. Morocco was expected to do better but flattered to deceive. Ivory Coast won the title after a disastrous start, while Nigeria made an unexpected start to the final.

Cape Verde, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo had decent tournaments. Here are the top most valuable African national teams according to Transfermarkt.

Top 5 most valuable African national teams

5. Ghana - €207.90 million

The Black Stars have failed to live up to the lofty expectations placed on them. Despite reaching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they failed to progress past the group stages of the 2021 and 2023 AFCON tournaments. They re-appointed Otto Addo to revive the West African giants.

Ghana's World Cup squad in 2022: Who is in, out, and why?

Football

Mohammed Kudus' is Ghana's biggest and most important player, and that's why West Ham paid over €43mil to sign him last year. He is currently valued at €50mil, making him one of the most valuable African players. Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, and Issahaku Fatawu are some other valuable talents on the squad.

4. Nigeria - €239.15 million

Nigeria has one of the most fearsome strike forces in world football. Their attack is spearheaded by Osimhen, Boniface, and Lookman. However, their defence and midfield are not up to the same standard as the attack, so the Super Eagles are low on this list.

Napoli striker, Osimhen, is valued at €110mil, and a club will pay that this summer to secure his services. Bayer Leverkusen striker, Boniface, is valued at €40mil and Lookman at €30mil. No other player in the Super Eagles squad is valued at over €30mil.

Ranking the 10 best South American football clubs right now

Football

3. Senegal - €272.90 million

The Lions of Teranga are stacked. Despite the ageing core of Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Edouard Mendy, they have exciting talent coming up. The likes of Lamine Camara, Nicolas Jackson, Habib Diarra, and Pape Matar Sarr will make Senegal competitive for the next decade.

Sarr, Jackson, Ismaila Sarr, and Diarra are some of the most valuable players in the squad. Mane and Iliman Ndiaye will still cost a substantial fee to purchase.

2. Ivory Coast - €304.43 million

The Elephants overcame the impossible to win the 2023 AFCON. They needed miracles in almost every stage of the competition to book their place in the final. They defeated Nigeria despite going down 1-0 early in the game.

They have a talented squad that could compete for the next few AFCON tournaments. They already have a solid defensive pairing in Ousmane Diomande, valued at €40mil, and Odilon Kossounou (€35mil). Their midfield has Franck Kessie and Seko Fofana, who are still at their peak. Youngsters like Simon Adingra and Oumar Diakite will cost a lot.

Who are the 10 best South African footballers of all time?

Football

1. Morocco - €375.10 million

Morocco were expected to win the 2023 AFCON because of their historic 2022 World Cup run. However, they fell short in the Round of 16 against South Africa. Thanks to their world-class right-back Hakimi (€65mil), Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz, Bayer Leverkusen's Amine Adli, and Valencia winger Ilias Akhomach, they have the most valuable squad in Africa.

Azzedine Ounahi, Ismael Saibari, Bilal El Khannouss, and Eliesse Ben Seghir are expected to make big moves soon. The Atlas Lions are expected to win the 2025 AFCON on home soil.

Most valuable African XI

Sports Brief earlier reported on the most valuable African starting eleven.

Manchester United goalkeeper, Andre Onana, was in goal, Diomande and Hakimi in defence, and Kudus edged Lookman.