Ligue 2’s top scorer with 10 goals in 12 matchdays, attacking midfielder Yaya Fofana is carrying Stade de Reims. After coming through the RC Lens reserves without a single senior call-up, he joined Reims in summer 2023.
Ten goals in twelve Ligue 2 matchdays: Yaya Fofana tops the charts with Stade de Reims. The Ivorian attacking midfielder, who scored a brace on 6 November at Grenoble (2-2), leads the scoring standings, according to Foot-sur7.
A return that contrasts with his time at Lens. Having joined RC Lens in 2022, the player was never called up to the senior squad. He played ten matches and scored one goal for the reserves, in National 3. Since leaving, he has made his mark at Reims.
At Grenoble, a brace in two stages
The latest example dates back to 6 November, on the pitch at Grenoble. Fofana first produced “a solo effort just before half-time”, according to Foot-sur7, before unleashing a crisp strike in the 67th minute to bring his team back to 2-2.
That performance extends a run: nine goals in his last eight outings, again according to Foot-sur7. He had already been voted September player of the month by the UNFP, ahead of Augustine Boakye of AS Saint-Étienne. With ten goals and three assists, the former Lens man is also directly involved in his team’s attacking play.
From the Lens reserves to Reims, then the Elephants
Trained at the Afrique Football Élite academy in Mali, Yaya Fofana had joined RC Lens in 2022. His time there was limited to the reserves: ten matches, one goal in National 3, and no senior call-up, Foot-sur7 reports.
It was in summer 2023 that he signed for Stade de Reims. The 2024-2025 season gave him a taste of Ligue 1: twelve matches, for one goal and one assist.
He now wears the shirt of Ivory Coast’s Elephants, according to Foot-sur7.
What comes next in the Ligue 2 season
It remains to be seen how far Fofana can push his season. The rest of the campaign with Reims and the race for the top scorer’s crown are the next milestones.
His name is once again among the UNFP nominees for the month of October.