Borussia Dortmund has a rich history of attracting top football talent from around the world. In recent years, African players have increasingly played a significant role in the club's success. This article explores the contributions and experiences of African players at Borussia Dortmund, highlighting their impact on the team and their personal journeys.
Tashreeq Matthews: From Ajax Cape Town to Dortmund and Back
Mamelodi Sundowns' Tashreeq Matthews was hesitant to return to South Africa after a spell in Europe, playing for Borussia Dortmund, FC Utrecht and three Swedish clubs, but when the Brazilians came knocking, it was difficult to turn them down. Sundowns regularly compete for major titles such as the CAF Champions League, which they narrowly missed out on recently, losing the final to Pyramids FC. They will also be the only team from sub-Saharan Africa at the FIFA Club World Cup this month.
Matthews will be reunited with Dortmund, where he played as a teenager, as they face Sundowns in Group F at 12pm EDT on June 21 (6pm CAT) at Cincinnati's TQL Stadium. The 24-year-old told ESPN: "I was watching the draw and when I found out that we were playing against Dortmund, I was very excited."
After a successful trial in 2018, Dortmund picked Matthews up from Ajax Cape Town's academy, where he had spent close to eight years, after he moved from neighbours Vasco da Gama aged 10. Matthews told ESPN: "An experience that was shocking and emotional for me was when I got the move to Dortmund, because that was very big for me and it doesn't happen every day."
Matthews was mostly confined to the U19 team at Dortmund, but absorbed everything he could in the limited time he had in the first team setup. He never made a competitive appearance, as he found himself behind international stars.
Read also: Experience Fad's Fine African Cuisine
The winger said: "I looked at them and I had to see what they do better than what I'm doing. I only looked at players that played in my position, which was Jadon Sancho, Christian Pulisic, and Marco Reus [who] they used in many positions. [Sancho and Pulisic] were the two that I was looking at, because they were the two closer to my age. They were the two that I was looking at, trying to see what I could do better to get closer to their level."
A Rollercoaster Journey Through Europe
By his own admission, Matthews struggled to adapt quickly enough, tactically, to compete with Pulisic and Sancho for minutes. However, he still speaks in glowing terms about the club which gave him his first opportunity overseas. He remembers Eredivisie club FC Utrecht, where he went on loan in 2019, less fondly: "I had a very bad experience there."
He had another loan spell with Sweden's Helsingborgs in late 2019 before leaving Dortmund in January 2020. After the winger left Dortmund, Sweden became his permanent home as he played for Varbergs BoIS and Sirius.
Reservations About Returning Home
Many South African players struggle to adapt to the lifestyle in Europe. Matthews, however, was happy to be away from home and the distractions which could come with it, despite his struggles on the pitch. Matthews was happy to be away from any opportunity to fall down the same path: "I would say for most of the young boys here, the step to the first team is very difficult because of surrounding circumstances that South Africans or Africans are in."
At first, he did not want to return to South Africa, but in his words, Sundowns - who just won an eighth successive Betway Premiership title - were the only club who could turn his head.
Read also: The Story Behind Cachapas
Serhou Guirassy: The Guinean Goal Machine
Serhou Guirassy, born on March 12, 1996, is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Borussia Dortmund. Guirassy began his career at Laval, before playing for Lille, 1. FC Köln, Amiens and Rennes. He later joined VfB Stuttgart, where he set a club record by scoring 28 goals in the 2023-24 season.
In the 2023-24 season, Guirassy scored ten goals in the first five matches, including his first Bundesliga hat-trick which came against Mainz, to equal a previous record set by Robert Lewandowski in 2020-21. He also set the Bundesliga record for most goals by a player in the first seven matches of a season by scoring a hat-trick within 15 minutes in a 3-1 win against Wolfsburg.
On 11 February 2025, Guirassy scored his tenth goal in the Champions League in a 3-0 away victory over Sporting Lisbon, becoming topscorer of the competition as well as the third player ever in Dortmund history, after Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland, to score ten goals in a single Champions League campaign.
On 22 February, for the first time in his career, Guirassy scored four goals out of the play in a 6-0 home victory over Union Berlin, becoming the third Dortmund player in the 21st century alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Erling Haaland to score four goals in a Bundesliga match.
Guirassy was a youth international for France. However, he decided to represent the home country of his parents, the Republic of Guinea, at senior level.
Read also: Techniques of African Jewellery
Serhou Guirassy - 13 Goals In Just 7 Games
Key Moments and Achievements
- Scored 28 goals for VfB Stuttgart in the 2023-24 season, setting a club record.
- Equaled Robert Lewandowski's record by scoring ten goals in the first five Bundesliga matches.
- Became the third player in Dortmund history to score ten goals in a single Champions League campaign.
- Scored four goals in a single Bundesliga match against Union Berlin.
Individual Awards and Recognition
- Bundesliga Player of the Month
- Bundesliga Team of the Season
- UEFA Champions League Top Scorer
Carney Chukwuemeka: A Rising Star
Carney Chibueze Chukwuemeka, born on October 20, 2003, is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or left winger for Borussia Dortmund. On 2 September 2021, Chukwuemeka made his debut for the England U19s during a 2-0 victory over Italy U19s at St. Chukwuemeka is of Igbo descent.
Chukwuemeka joined Borussia Dortmund on loan from Chelsea. He has quickly impressed with his performances, becoming a key player for the team. The midfielder is known for his versatility, technical skills, and ability to create scoring opportunities.
International Career
Chukwuemeka has represented England at various youth levels. He made his debut for the England U19s on September 2, 2021, during a 2-0 victory over Italy U19s. He was also part of the England squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina 2023.
Achievements
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship Winner: 2022
- Named in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2022
Impact and Future
The presence of African players at Borussia Dortmund not only enhances the team's performance but also enriches the club's culture. These players bring diverse perspectives, unique skills, and a strong work ethic, contributing to the overall success of the team. As football becomes increasingly globalized, the role of African players in top European clubs like Borussia Dortmund is set to grow even further.
African players have become integral to Borussia Dortmund's squad, contributing significantly to the team's success in both domestic and international competitions. Their individual skills, combined with their dedication and passion for the game, make them valuable assets to the club. As more African talents emerge, Borussia Dortmund is likely to continue its tradition of welcoming and nurturing these players, further solidifying its position as a top European football club.
