Raising the flag high on foreign soil, several Southern African players have left an indelible mark in Europe with their top-notch performances this season. These players have taken up the responsibility of maintaining a legacy pioneered by icons like Kalusha Bwalya, Peter Ndlovu and Benni McCarthy.
As we draw curtains on the 2024-25 campaign, BolaNews reveals the list of Southern African players with the most league goals in Europe this term.
#1. M’bala Nzola (ANG) (RC Lens): 6 goals
Returning to the country of his upbringing, M’bala Nzola joined RC Lens on a season-long loan from Fiorentina. The Angolan-born striker scored six goals in 21 league matches for Les Sang et Or in the French Ligue 1.
His strikes kept Lens in the hunt for European qualification, which they eventually fell short of, finishing in eighth place.
#2. Marshall Munetsi (ZIM) (Stade de Reims, Wolves): 6 goals
Arguably Southern Africa’s best-performing player in Europe’s top five leagues this season, Munetsi has been a joy to watch in the middle of the park. The Zimbabwean started his impressive 2024-25 campaign at Stade de Reims, where he netted four goals and set up a further two.
Impressed by his outstanding showing in France, Wolves paid €18 million to secure his services, breaking the transfer record for a Zimbabwean player. This eclipsed the €12 million spent by Aston Villa to sign Marvellous Nakamba from Club Brugge in 2019.
Munetsi proved to be a bargain for Wolves, scoring two goals and providing an assist in the Premier League. This saw them finish above UEFA Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur in the league standings.
#3. Alexandre Ramalingom (MAD) (Bnei Sakhnin): 7 goals
Ramalingom was a talismanic figure for Bnei Sakhnin in the Israeli Premier League, dropping top-notch performances to help them survive relegation. The 32 year old scored seven goals and notched an assist in 25 matches in the Ligat Ha’Al.
Born in Pontoise, France, the striker earned eight caps for his nation of descent, Madagascar, featuring for them in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
#4. Zini (ANG) (APO Levadiakos): 14 goals
After failing to find the back of the net in any of the 11 league games he played for AEK Athens last season, Zini rediscovered his form at APO Levadiakos. He recorded 14 goals in 29 matches in the Greek Super League, which was the joint-highest for any Southern African player in Europe.
Mirroring his club form at national team level, Zini scored twice for Angola in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, guiding them to the top of Group F.
#5. Kings Kangwa (ZAM) (Hapoel Be’er Sheva): 14 goals
No Southern African player scored more league goals in Europe than Kings Kangwa in the 2024-25 campaign. With 14 goals and nine assists in 35 matches, the playmaker was the heartbeat of Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Israeli top flight.
His world-class performances earned him the accolade of Best Foreign Player in Israel, alongside a place in the Team of the Season. Several European clubs have lined up to sign him, impressed by his goal-scoring ability and creativity in midfield.
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