How is New York mayor Zohran Mamdani's African ball knowledge?

Martin Macdonald

• 21 Jan 2026 16:01 CST
• 4 min read

Nieuws

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations concluded in spectacular fashion on Sunday as Senegal ran out 1-0 winners against host nation, Morocco.

One man who would have been tuned in is New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has displayed an impressive knowledge of football since being thrust into the limelight in The Big Apple over the last year or so.

New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani supports Arsenal

Yes, Mamdani is indeed a Gooner. Born in Uganda, he moved with his family to New York at the age of seven, and it was thereafter that he began watching soccer and Arsene Wenger's Arsenal in particular.

“My uncle is an Arsenal fan,” Mamdani told the New York Times.

“He introduced me. Wenger was one of the first managers to really bring African players into the EPL. I grew up with Kolo Toure, [Nwankwo] Kanu, Alex Song, Lauren and Emmanuel Eboue.

"I had the Invincibles as magnets on my fridge. I loved David Seaman, Sylvain Wiltord, all these guys. I’ve gone to a few Arsenal games, many with my uncle. It really has been a big part of my life and my identity.”

AFCON knowledge

Elite ball knowledge @NYCMayor 💯 pic.twitter.com/Iet27Dm6mM

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 20, 2026

Due to his heritage, Mamdani clearly has an affinity for African football and African players.

He was asked to play 'Winner stays on' with CBS Sports, being asked to choose between two African players for each question.

Here were his choices:

Sadio Mane or Victor Osimhen?

Answer: Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane or Brahim Diaz?

Answer: Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane or Dider Drogba?

Answer: As an Arsenal fan, I was terrorised by Didier Drogba. So, Didier Drogba.

Didier Drogba or Samuel Eto'o?

Answer: Dider Drogba

Didier Drogba or Michael Essien?

Answer: They've both scored incredible goals against Arsenal. I still have to go with Didier Drogba.

Didier Drogba or Mohamed Salah?

Answer: Mohamed Salah is the only one to have a halal truck named after him in Astoria so I'll go Mo Salah.

Mohamed Salah or Riyad Mahrez?

Answer: Mo Salah, though Riyad Mahrez is an incredible player.

Mohamed Salah or Nwankwo Kanu?

Answer: As an Arsenal fan, I have to go Kanu.

Nwankwo Kanu or Abedi Pele?

Answer: Kanu.

Nwankwo Kanu or Jay-Jay Okocha?

Answer: Jay-Jay Okocha - so nice they named him twice and the amazing advert that he just did for AFCON.

Jay-Jay Okocha or John Obi Mikel?

Answer: Jay-Jay Okocha

Jay-Jay Okocha or Yaya Toure?

Answer: Yaya Toure may have won everything but Jay-Jay Okocha is the only one that played for Bolton Wanderers so, shoutout Jay-Jay Okocha.

Jay-Jay Okocha or George Weah?

Answer: Has to be George Weah because he's the father of a New Yorker who grew up on Staten Island. Shoutout to Timothy Weah.

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