Chancel Mbemba has been named the recipient of the esteemed Marc-Vivien Foé Award for 2023, excluding Nigerian attacker Terem Moffi from receiving the honour.
The announcement was made on May 30 during a broadcast on France 24 and Radio France International (RFI).
Mbemba, a centre defender for Olympique de Marseille and a member of the Congolese national team, won the award individually over Moffi, an OGC Nice player, and Seko Fofana, an Ivorian midfielder for Racing Club de Lens.
After Gal Kakuta, who won the prize in 2021, Mbemba is now the second player from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to win it.
Mbemba played in 35 Ligue 1 games after moving from FC Porto to Marseille last summer and scoring five goals in the process. This outstanding effort greatly influenced his deserving receipt of the Marc-Vivien Foé Award.
The greatest African footballer competing in France’s top division receives recognition with the Marc-Vivien Foé Award, which was established in memory of the late Cameroonian international.
Moffi was a strong candidate for the prize after having an outstanding season that included 17 Ligue 1 goals and three assists for Lorient and OGC Nice.
The 24-year-old wanted to join former custodian Vincent Enyeama and ex-Lille player Victor Osimhen as the third Nigerian to win the famous championship.
Yet Mbemba’s outstanding performances were ultimately what made him the rightful winner this year.
Moffi finished third with 105 points, 11 points behind second-placed Fofana and ahead of eventual champion Mbemba (207 points). The former Porto star is the first defender to receive the honour.
