Just a Sunderland thing: When you have nine African players, bring another one, and make it ten
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 16.01.26. | 23:29
Only one more player from the "mother continent", and the Black Cats will be able to set up an all-African starting lineup
When the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off, Sunderland suffered a significant blow, as six of their nine players from the "mother continent" were called up to represent their respective national teams.
However, now, when the tournament is nearing its end, the tables have completely turned for the Black Cats, not only because all the internationals are returning, but also because an additional African player will join them!
Namely, earlier today, the club from the Stadium of Light announced the arrival of another player from the "mother continent", their tenth in total - Jocelin Ta Bi.
Sunderland lining up all the up and coming young bucks from Africa i respect it 😂 https://t.co/WftMzcKjjy
— Jezza (@JerryJezza1) January 16, 2026
The little-known winger signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with an option for a further year with the Black Cats, joining from the Israeli Maccabi Netanya for an undisclosed fee. He was reportedly on the verge of moving to Celtic, but the Premier League side hijacked the deal in the nick of time.
The 20-year-old Ivorian spent his entire international career in Israel, representing three different teams. He chose the number 37 and became a new member of Sunderland's "African crew", consisting of Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco), Blondy Nna Noukeu (Cameroon), Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique), Habib Diarra (Senegal), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast), Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo), Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso), Noah Sadiki (DR Congo), and Ahmed Abdullahi (Nigeria).
Now, Regis Le Bris' is missing only one player from the "mother continent" so he can set up an all-African lineup. Given the club's transfer policy, this condition will be met soon.
PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 22
Saturday
15.30: (3.55) Man.Utd. (4.00) Man.City (2.00)
18.00: (1.75) Chelsea (4.00) Brentford (4.80)
18.00: (2.25) Leeds (3.45) Fulham (3.45)
18.00: (1.23) Liverpool (6.75) Burnley (15.0)
18.00: (2.70) Sunderland (3.20) Crystal Palace (2.85)
18.00: (1.75) Tottenham (3.90) West Ham (5.00)
20.30: (6.00) Nott.Forest (4.25) Arsenal (1.55)
Sunday
17.00: (4.80) Wolverhampton (4.00) Newcastle (1.75)
19.30: (1.70) Aston Villa (4.00) Everton (5.30)
Monday
23.00: (1.90) Brighton (3.80) Bournemouth (4.20)
***odds are subject to change***
