Sidiki Chérif: The Rising Star of SCO Shaking Up Ligue 1 Defenses

In football, change is constant; when one player leaves, another steps in. At Angers, the transfer of Esteban Lepaul to Stade Rennais for €13 million is already a thing of the past. Even if the DNCG blocks new signings, there’s talent at hand. Since the start of the season, 18-year-olds Sidiki Chérif and Prosper Peter have been sharing attacking responsibilities. They alternate in play and sometimes field together. Peter scored first in the third match against Rennes, and two months later, Chérif celebrated as Peter netted again against Lorient. Unfortunately, Chérif was injured shortly after and had to be substituted.

As one player’s misfortune brings another joy, Peter demonstrated his skills with a powerful goal, finishing from a tight angle. His style, reminiscent of Didier Drogba, impressed fans. Just a week earlier, he had scored his first professional goal against Monaco, striking with his left foot after racing past Salisu. Following the adage that good things come in threes, the Conakry native scored his third goal in as many matches at the Vélodrome, taking advantage of a defensive lapse by Aguerd. He danced around the defender to find space before executing a clever shot. With a bit of luck, he could have scored even earlier with a header.

Among the best dribblers of his generation

Beyond scoring, Chérif has been a persistent threat for the opposition’s defense. His dribbling ability is noteworthy, ranking as the third-best dribbler among under-19 players in the five major leagues, following Said El Mala and Lamine Yamal. His influence was significant, generating four shots (three on target) in just an hour. While he has participated in all matches this season (10 in Ligue 1, with seven starts), he remains cautious about his physical condition. After his significant injury last season, which required surgery, there’s acknowledgment of how crucial it is to manage his fitness. Chérif had initially started as a regular, joining SCO at 12 years old.

This challenging phase came just after signing his first professional contract (valid until 2028). His family provided crucial support during recovery. “It was tough, but he learned a lot,” said a close associate. “He became more focused on the little details like diet and sleep, contributing to his progress.” Despite early setbacks, hard work is starting to pay off for the young talent, who began with Saumur after his family moved from Guinea. Angers has high hopes for him, especially after he excelled in the U19 category, even to the extent of playing up at just 15 years old.

A supportive rivalry with Prosper Peter

A fan of Leo Messi, Chérif showed immediate promise, scoring 14 goals in 15 matches during the 2022/2023 season, catching attention. However, he continued his development in Maine-et-Loire until debuting professionally in Ligue 2 in August 2023, at just 16 years and 8 months old, thanks to coach Alexandre Dujeux’s trust. “It’s a gesture he won’t forget,” said a close friend. Chérif didn’t score immediately and bounced between the first team, reserves, and U19s. His injury interrupted his progress, but his calm and generous nature helped him cope with these challenges. “He keeps his head level,” a source noted.

This calm demeanor shines through as he consistently performs well. “He takes his current success with a lot of composure. It’s the fruit of his hard work and recovery efforts.” This feels like a well-deserved achievement, especially for a club that placed faith in these young talents to lead their attack. “Prosper Peter and Sidiki Chérif together are an encouraging duo,” Dujeux commented after the win against Lorient. “Their recent performances have been uplifting, and I’m thrilled for them.” Notably, together they are still younger (36 years old) than Olivier Giroud (39) as Angers heads to Lille today.