The passion for football is global. Every game marks a stand-off between the best of the best. Players face each other attempting to prove their worth. Fans give their all in supporting their teams, even in the direst of circumstances. In search of new challenges, many players leave their native lands to play in foreign leagues.
Many are doing so to broaden their horizons. At the same time, it's not odd for managers to try to fill roster holes with talents from abroad. Today we will talk about continental player exchanges between Latin America and Africa.
Many Latin American players make the latest football news in Ghana on a regular basis. These same players often are the most popular with their local sports betting sites as well.
Latin Stars in Mamelodi Sundowns
Latin American players widen their horizons each day, emigrating to Africa. For many of these players Europe is far from their only choice. Places like Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa have strong and attractive leagues.
Most recently the club has been linked to a Bolivian player from the La Paz club The Strongest. The young player, a Copa America debutant, is looking to take the continental leap early.
The Sundowns are very interested in Ramiro Vaca, the offensive midfielder. Born in Tarija, Ramiro is currently 21 years old and has been a titular player for "La Verde'' since 2017. Ramiro proudly wears the number "20" on the team led by Cesar Farias.
This is not the first time Vaca has been linked with a club outside of Bolivia. Numancia had negotiations with the Bolivian star.
The Sundowns hope to combine Vaca's talent with Brazilian Ricardo Nascimento and Uruguayans Gaston Sirino and Mauricio Alfonso. "Los Brasileños," the nickname for the players, want to keep their reign in Ghana sports with their Latin style.
Mexican Conquerors
A pair of Mexican players want to take over Africa. Diego Franco Mares and Luigiani Gallardo are the first Mexican players to sign with African teams. Both will play in the Praetoria University of South Africa. As part of the ascension league of the country, and want to rise to the Premier League. Diego Franco Mares is a 25 year old midfielder and debuted in the Cruz Azul in 2013. He has played for Atletico de San Luis in Ascenso MX before playing in Belen on the Top Circuit in Costa Rica. His brief resume also includes Salamantino of Spain's Third Division.
Luigiani Gallardo is 27 years old and debuted in the year 2010, under manager Manuel Lapuente. In 2012 he played for Necaxa before going over to Estudiantes Tecos, Veracruz, Albinegros de Orizaba, Tlaxcala FC and Zacatepec.
Finally, the Mexican strategist will play on African soil, specifically in Uganda. Javier Martinez led the lower ranks of the Cruz Azul before going to Nicaragua in the Juventus de Managua and to Guatemala in the Deportivo Carcha.
From Argentina With Love
Two Argentinians are currently playing in Africa in Mozambique and South Africa. Both come from historical Argentinian Second Rank sign-offs. Ramiro Martinez is the goalkeeper for the Mozambican team Textafrica do Chimoio. As part of the Mozambique First Division, he faces high level competition. Martinez played for the Almagro and then for the Nueva Chicago before going off to Africa.
Another player currently testing his skills in Africa is the former Deportivo Moron, Junior Mendieta. The striker plays for Stellenbosch FC of South African in the Premier Soccer League. Before traveling to Africa, Mendieta played for Atletico Rafaela. His debut in the Stellenbosch FC came at the end of November 2020. He played in the fourth round of the Premier Soccer League against Chippa United.
A Rising Trend
While Latin American players in African leagues are currently few in numbers, it's a growing trend. Many players have decided to leave their native soil. They are choosing to challenge themselves in foreign leagues. It's a way of proving their abilities and expanding their horizons. Ultimately, their goal is to strive for greatness on the pitch, regardless of where. Sportsbooks and sites with the best of online football will be sure to keep a close eye on all of them.