‘Japada’ Wave: Europe-Born African Stars Shaping AFCON 2025

Luca Zidane is one of the most intriguing names at the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025—not just for the shirt he wears, but the legacy he carries. The France-born goalkeeper, son of French World Cup-winning legend Zinedine Zidane, has chosen to represent Algeria, the nation of his grandparents, rather than the country where he was raised and which his father helped make global football royalty.

Zidane joins a growing generation of players redefining African football identity—athletes born and raised in Europe, yet determined to wear African colours on the biggest continental stage.

A Growing Trend Reshaping AFCON

This AFCON has seen a record-breaking wave of dual-national African squads. According to tournament registration figures, about 191 of the 664 players – or 28.8% – were born in Europe, underscoring how football is increasingly shaped by diaspora communities across France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and England.

This shift reflects a broader trend, with clubs and associations tapping into diaspora talent pools, bringing European-trained players into African national teams, and showcasing how dual nationality is reshaping squad identity.

Morocco, Algeria and Comoros lead the trend, naming squads rich with Europe-bred talent. But virtually every major contender—from Nigeria, Senegal to Cote d’I’voire to hosts Morocco —feature stars whose football journey started began thousands of miles from their home country, which they now represent.

AFCON 2025 Japadas

Japada, a Nigerian slang derived from the Yoruba word for “return,” is used to describe those who have emigrated (“japaed”) and later move back to their home country. It reflects a growing reverse-migration trend, with returnees leveraging skills gained abroad, reconnecting with culture or building businesses—directly contrasting with “Japa,” which means to flee or emigrate.

Across AFCON, squads are filled with figurative Japadas—players who grew up speaking French, Spanish, Dutch or English, yet sing African national anthems with passion and patriotism.

Zidane is one of a new generation choosing heritage over birthplace, deciding proudly to represent Africa at its biggest showpiece.

Aside from Luca Zidane (France-born, Algeria), some of the most prominent ones include:
• Rayan Aït-Nouri (born in France, Algeria)
• Wilfried Zaha (born in Abidjan, raised in England, Côte d’Ivoire)
• Achraf Hakimi (Spain-born, Morocco)
• Odilon Kossounou (Belgium-born, Côte d’Ivoire)
• Moussa Niakhaté (France-born, Senegal)
• Formose Mendy (France-born, Senegal) — corrected from Mbaye
• Brahim Díaz (born in Málaga, Spain, Morocco)
• Bryan Mbeumo (France-born, Cameroon)
• Noah Sadiki (Belgium-born, DR Congo)
• Noussair Mazraoui (Netherlands-born, Morocco)

In addition, Comoros’ entire squad is made up of players either born or raised in Europe, especially France.

The ‘Japas’ from AFCON Past, Africa’s European Stars

Dual nationals at AFCON are not new, but visibility has increased. Previous tournaments featured diaspora-born stars who played major role in their home country’s football growth. They include the Touré brothers—Yaya and Kolo—rose through European academies and anchored Côte d’Ivoire’s golden era; and Riyad Mahrez, who was born in France, but helped Algeria win the AFCON title in 2019.

While Europe-born players choose Africa, many African-born talents now wear European shirts. They include Patrick Vieira, born in Senegal, won the 1998 World Cup with France; and Mario Balotelli (born in Italy to Ghanaian parents), but played for Italy at the Euros.

Others are:

• Bukayo Saka (London-born, Nigerian parents) – England
  • Karim Adeyemi (Nigerian father) – Germany
  • Michael Olise (Nigerian father, French mother) – France
  • Tammy Abraham (Nigerian parents) – England
  • Memphis Depay (Dutch-born, Ghanaian father) – Netherlands
  • Eduardo Camavinga (born in Angola) – France
  • Manu Koné (Ivorian parents) – France
• Kylian Mbappé (born in Paris to a Cameroonian father and Algerian mother) – France

And occasionally, the decision swings back. Wilfried Zaha famously turned down more England caps to return “home” to the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire, opening the door for today’s generation of Japada stars.

As European clubs hunt African talent, African nations are now scouting Europe just as aggressively.

One Tournament, Two Worlds

Whether born in Malaga, Marseille, Madrid, Antwerp, Lagos or Tangier, one thing binds this generation: Africa is embracing its diaspora and making them count in major competitions like AFCON.

The likes of Luca Zidane for Algeria, Achraf Hakimi captaining Morocco, and Wilfried Zaha representing Côte d’Ivoire all tell the same story. AFCON 2025 is more than a tournament; it is a continental homecoming, a reunion of Africans in Diaspora.

The Japadas are coming home.