Africans fighting in the La Liga relegation battle
If you want to see the ultimate test for how a player can perform under pressure, put them in a relegation battle.
In an environment where the points feel more valuable, where a single goal can change season-planning on its head, and where one clean sheet could make all the difference, it offers perfect opportunities to test your mettle.
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Real Valladolid and UD Las Palmas have been relegated., going into the last two match days of the La Liga season.
When it comes to the last remaining spot that no one wants to fill, there are a few African players who could have a say in the matter.
Seydouba Cisse – CD Leganes
CD Leganes will need to dig deep to find the two wins that they need from their last two La Liga games, which will give them a chance of staying up. But they will take heart from the fact that both of their opponents are below them in the La Liga table.
With the need to go all out in both those fixtures, Seydouba Cisse's play from midfield for how the Guinean plays as a link between the midfield and attack. Last weekend, he scored what turned out to be a vital goal in a win against RCD Espanyol. Without that strike, their relegation would have been confirmed. This is Cisse's first season in the Spanish top flight, and he will be fighting for the team to earn the right to stay there.
Moussa Diarra – Deportivo Alaves
Alaves's bid to stay up got a massive boost from their midweek La Liga win against in-form Valencia CF and just need one final push to secure their top-flight status for a third consecutive season.
Four points clear of the drop zone with two games left, it could well take just one clean sheet to secure safety, which is where Moussa Diarra comes into play.
As a player who can play in the centre of defence or slot in at fullback, the Guinean was joined Alaves from Toulouse in August and has fitted into a defence that has only conceded one goal in their last four games.
Walid Cheddira – RCD Espanyol
RCD Espanyol are a team in poor form at the worst time of the season. On the back of three straight losses, they need to change something for their remaining La Liga games against CA Osasuna and UD Las Palmas to guarantee top-flight football.
Moroccan international Walid Cheddira is a player who could provide them with a different goal-scoring option. On loan from Napoli, the physical centre forward is used as an option off the bench.
Cheddira proved himself as a capable goal scorer in his first full top-flight campaign last season when he was on loan at Frosinone. Unfortunately, his goals were not enough for them to avoid relegation, but just one winning goal for RCD Espanyol now would be enough to guarantee staying up this season.
Christantus Uche – Getafe CF
Getafe CF have not looked like a team in relegation for most of the season, but after a disastrous run of six straight losses, they have slid into the battle to avoid the drop.
For their last two La Liga games against RCD Mallorca and RC Celta, they will welcome back Christantus Uche into the side, who has finished serving a three-match suspension after receiving a red card against RCD Espanyol.
The young Nigerian offers a much-needed goal-scoring option for Jose Bordalas' side, who have only managed one goal in their torrid six-game run.
He has alternated between playing in the midfield or up front. With his height and physicality, he also offers a serious threat to the opposition from set pieces.
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