Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe says he hopes to beat Ghanaian duo Thomas Partey and Inaki Williams to this season’s LaLiga African MVP award.
The 30-year-old Villarreal forward has been one of the standout African performers in Spain this campaign, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 30 league appearances to emerge as a strong contender for the accolade.
But Pepe faces stiff competition from a strong field that includes his Villarreal teammate Thomas Partey and Athletic Club captain Inaki Williams, who is the current holder of the award.
“With two editions, the last two, he’s the last winner,” Pepe said during a LaLiga media briefing with 3Sports. “So now, Bounou, Chukwueze, Inaki Williams, and maybe this year, Nicolas Pepe.”
Pepe added that winning the award would mean a lot to him on a personal level.
“It’s an individual accolade. It’s a distinction,” he said. “When I was in France and won the African award there, it was a source of joy for me. It will be the same in Spain. If I win this trophy, it will be a source of joy for me.”
The former Arsenal man also admitted that some of his biggest threats are among the leading African stars in LaLiga, including his own teammates.
“There is Pape Gueye, there is Akor Adams, there is Inaki Williams, and Thomas Partey is there,” he said. “My teammate is my biggest threat.”
Villarreal are currently third in LaLiga and remain on course to secure Champions League qualification for a second straight season.
By Bill Eshun
