Senegal striker Pape Moussa Fall has made a striking start to the season with FC Metz, scoring seven goals in eight Ligue 2 appearances and moving to the top of the division’s scoring charts.
The 22-year-old, who stands 2.03m tall, came through the Generation Foot academy before moving to Belgium, where he played for RFC Seraing and RAAL La Louviere. He has now become one of the leading attacking figures at FC Metz at the beginning of the campaign.
Assane Diop, coach of Generation Foot, said in an exclusive interview with Africafoot that Fall’s progress had not surprised him, despite the forward’s performances attracting considerable attention in France.
Fall’s form has also intensified interest from a number of European clubs. Galatasaray, Mayence, Club Bruges, Lille and FC Lorient are among the sides reported to be monitoring the Senegal international.
His development has come at a club with a long-standing relationship with Generation Foot. FC Metz has previously given opportunities to several generations of Senegalese players, including Jules Bocande, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane, Diafra Sakho, Babacar Gueye, Makhtar Ndiaye, Lamine Camara and Sadibou Sane.
Three African players were listed among the top five scorers in Ligue 2 after seven rounds, underlining the impact of the continent’s forwards in the division. Fall has since continued to lead the scoring standings after adding to his tally for FC Metz.
First Senegal call-up
The striker’s early-season displays earned him a first call-up to the Senegal squad under new manager Patrick Vieira.
Fall featured in all three matches during that international period. He played in Senegal’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Mozambique and the 1-0 qualifying victory over Ethiopia, as well as the 1-0 friendly win against Comoros.
He came on as a substitute in each game, but his form at club level is expected to increase competition for a place in Senegal’s starting line-up.
Diop believes his former academy player can continue progressing after making an encouraging start to his international career.
FC Metz’s next Ligue 2 fixture is away to Sochaux in the ninth round of the French championship. The published match odds list Sochaux at 4.31 to win, a draw at 3.54 and an FC Metz victory at 1.80.