Why two African presidents joined Chelsea’s UCL victory celebrations

• The London side currently has two African players in the persons of Senegal’s Mendy and Hakim Ziyech of Morocco

• Chelsea also has two players with African parentage, Rudiger (Sierra Leone) and Kante (Mali)

Two African presidents had cause to join celebrations of Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League, UCL, triumph over the weekend.

The London team beat fellow Premier League side Manchester City in a final played in the Portuguese city of Porto on May 29.

All the Blues needed was a first half strike by German international Kai Harvetz to seal the path to their second UEFA Champions League trophy.

Chelsea also needed their goalie, Senegalese Edouard Mendy to be alert and to keep the opponents at bay. With that achievement Mendy was widely praised for his heroics.

Part of the praise was from Senegal President Macky Sall who posted his congratulatory message on social media.

“Very nice victory for our compatriot Édouard Mendy with #Chelsea. Bravo dear Édouard! You are the pride of your country,” Sall tweeted with a photo of Mendy lifting the trophy in Porto.

One of the the defenders who “protected” Mendy included Antonio Rudiger, who is of Sierra Leonean parentage.

Despite currently representing the German national team, he has always spoken fondly of his links to the West African country.

Sierra Leone president tweeted his congrats to the player: “Congratulations to Antonio Rudiger and Chelsea FC on winning the #UCLFinal. Toni, #SierraLeone is truly proud of you.”

In January 2020, Rudiger donated $100,000 towards free education project by the Sierra Leone government. The player said it was his contribution towards the development of the country of his parentage.

He made the donation when he met with President Julius Maada Bio in London on the sidelines of the ongoing UK-Africa Investment Summit.

The other African player on Chelsea’s books is Moroccan Hakim Ziyech whiles on the part of Manchester City, AFCON winner, Riyad Mahrez is the sole African.