Pan-Africa Football has taken a look at over thirty African players who began their career in African football and in a series of columns we will evaluate how the subjects of our first twenty scouting reports have progressed since we evaluated them. In the third part of this series join us as we check up on Cameroon national team midfielder Samuel Oum Gouet, Ivorian striker Aké Loba, Botswana national team star defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Uganda left back Aziz Kayondo and rising Gambian attacker Alieu Fadera:

SCR Altach- Austrian Bundesliga

KV Mechelen- Belgian Pro League

We did not particularly rate Oum Gouet in our report but the Cameroonian has done excellently to progress to a better league following his move to the Belgian Pro League from Austrian club Altach. The deep-lying central midfielder featured regularly for KV Mechelen during the club’s surprise run to a top-8 position in Belgium’s top division and also progressed in his role with the Cameroon national team. Oum Gouet started four matches for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations hosts and also started both matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff as the Indomitable Lions stunned Algeria to qualify.

Oum Gouet is limited in his ability to make an impact moving forward but does not attempt to do too much in his defensive role. The 24-year-old rated seventh among central midfielders in the Belgian Pro League over the past year in percentage of defensive duels won while maintaining passing numbers that place him in the middle of the pack. With playing time starting to decrease this season at Mechelen, it appears Oum Gouet has proved himself capable of playing at this level but is unlikely to move any higher in European club football.

CF Monterrey- Mexico’s Liga MX

Nashville SC- Major League Soccer

A forward who stood out for his explosiveness in limited minutes with Mexican clubs Monterrey and Queretaro, Aké Loba appeared destined for his big opportunity to start regularly after completing a $6.8 million move to Major League Soccer side Nashville SC but has failed to live up to his price tag. Three goals and two assists in forty-two matches is not good enough for a player considered a Designated Player in MLS, a label that requires Loba to be at least among the best scorers on his team. Considering his high salary to go along with injuries and poor form, Loba is likely destined for a move to another club towards the end of 2022 and it will be interesting to see which league and level he moves to.

SuperSport United- DStv Premiership

SuperSport United- DStv Premiership

Ditlhokwe remains one of the better center backs in South Africa’s DStv Premiership but his team has not enjoyed success with SuperSport United struggling to distinguish themselves and reach the heights previously seen in previous seasons. Known more as a team that develops players these days rather than a club that can compete for honors, SuperSport United relies on the Motswana defender to solidify the back and his success in South African football stands out compared to many of his countrymen who have struggled to adapt in the country’s top division.

The 23-year-old may be due for a move to a more competitive club if he can maintain his success but in the meantime Ditlhokwe is in a good situation where he is starting regularly and displaying his talents. Ditlhokwe ranks highly among center backs in the league when it comes to winning aerial duels with top-5 numbers and is just outside the top-10 in defensive duels won. It is difficult to see him making a move outside of African club football at this point but an upgrade to one of South Africa’s top clubs is a possibility.

Vipers SC- Uganda Premier League

Real Monarchs (on loan from MFK Vyškov)- MLS Next Pro

Kayondo came to our attention by featuring as a starter for Uganda at the 2021 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations as well as at the postponed 2020 African Nations Championship that took place a month before. A year later the 19-year-old left back completed a transfer to Czech club MFK Vyškov before moving on loan to Real Monarchs, the reserve team of Major League Soccer side Real Salt Lake in the new MLS Next Pro league. Along with moving on from the Uganda Premier League, Kayondo has also graduated to the Uganda senior national team with three appearances (one start) in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying and a start against Niger in a June 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

With Real Monarchs the left back is continuing to work on some of the defensive shortcomings he showed with Uganda at the two aforementioned tournaments but his defending will only improve in a physical league like MLS Next Pro. Kayondo is starting regularly and showing his attacking ability, registering his first assist on September 3 for a team that is steadily improving after a poor start to their first season.

FK Pohronie- Slovak Super Liga

Zulte Waregem- Belgian Pro League

Fadera is progressing at an excellent rate after securing a transfer from Slovakian club Pohronie to Belgian club Zulte Waregem. The 20-year-old got off to a strong start with his new club, scoring two goals and providing three assists to be involved in five of his team’s seven goals scored through seven games this season. The only concern at this point for Fadera is keeping his team from relegation as the results have been poor for a team that has failed to win since their opening match of the 2022-23 season. However, considering his club acquired him for $880,000 it appears acquiring Fadera was an excellent piece of business.

Fadera’s versatility has been a strong point so far with Waregem, appearing both on the right and left wing this season and even in a central role at times. He ranks highly in the top four among wide attacking players in Belgium’s top division in attempting and winning attacking duels. Earning his first call-up with the Gambia senior national team last year in March, the young attacker is on the verge of winning his first appearances if he can continue to impress in Belgium.