The big leagues in Europe are under way and as always there was a heavy influence from African stars this past weekend, with goals, assists and clean sheets.
We round up the leading performers.
MOHAMED SALAH (EGYPT & LIVERPOOL)
It may be a new season, but some things don’t change, with Mo Salah at the heart of Liverpool’s victory over promoted Ipswich Town. The Egyptian star scored a goal and provided an assist for Diogo Jota as he started the post-Jurgen Klopp era with a fibe performance under new boss Arne Slot. He also looks supremely fit.
YOANE WISSA (DR CONGO & BRENTFORD)
There was no Ivan Toney as he nears an exit from Brentford … but that was no problem! Yoane Wissa was such a star in Toney’s absence last season that he became the main man up front for Brentford, and he continued that form with a goal and an assist for the equally brilliant Bryan Mbeumo in the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. Wissa’s winner in the 76th minute came after teammate Ethan Pinnock had put the ball into his own net to draw the Eagles level.
BRYAN MBEUMO (CAMEROON & BRENTFORD)
Cameroon winger Mbeumo remains one of the most underrated stars in the Premier League with goals and assists in abundance. He got his campaign off to a scoring start with a fibe goal against Crystal Palace as he collected a pass from Yoane Wissa and cut inside, before firing low into the net from 12-yards. It was a typical Mbeumo goal, showing off his speed, skill with the ball and rocket shot.
SIMON ADINGRA (COTE D’IVOIRE & BRIGHTON)
Adingra came off the bench to seal victory for Brighton & Hive Albion under new manager Fabian Huerzeler, who is the youngest ever permanent boss in the Premier League at the age of 31. American Huerzeler has arrived from German side St Pauli and has an exciting group of players at his disposal, none more so than Adingra. The Ivorian winger was fed on the edge of the box by Danny Welbeck and unleashed a powerful shot that had the beating of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
YANKUBA MINTEH (GAMBIA & BRIGHTON)
Minteh is a new signing at Brighton having arrived from Newcastle United in the transfer window, ironically with Everton also chasing his signature. He would do damage against the Toffees instead though as he teased left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko on the right0band side before delivering a low cross that was turned in at the back post by Kaoru Mitoma. Minteh had to go off before halftime with a suspected concussion, but it was a bright start to his time at Brighton for the 45 minutes he was on the pitch.
ANTOINE SEMENYO (GHANA & BOURNEMOUTH)
Semenyo rescued a point for Bournemouth in their season opener at Nottingham Forest that finished 1-1, scoring with four minutes remaining on the clock. It came a bit against the run of play too as Forest went in search of a second, but Semenyo profited from some sloppy defending as an attempted clearance came off a home defender and fell into his path. He netted eight goals last season and will be aiming for double-figures in this campaign.
ANDRE ONANA (CAMEROON & MAN UTD)
Manchester United made a solid start to the new season with a 1-0 home win over Fulham at Old Trafford, though they needed a late goal from Joshua Zirkzee, who came off the bench to score on debut. Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana managed a clean sheet. Fulham had 10 attempts at goal, though only two were on target, but Onana marshalled his defence well.
CHRISANTUS UCHE (NIGERIA & GETAFE)
Uche netted a goal on debut for Getafe following his move from second-tier Ceuta at the start of the campaign. It was in fact a first ever professional goal for the 21-year-old, who is looking to make waves in LaLiga this season and has made the perfect start. Not many people might have heard of him before the campaign, but he will be hoping he is a household name come the end of it. His goal came in a 1-1 draw with athletic Bilbao.
ABDUL MUMIN (GHANA & RAYO VALLECANO)
Rayo Vallecano got off to the perfect start in LaLiga with a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad. Their first goal was netted by Jorge de Frutos after he was set up by centre-back Mumin
– assist (67’) and clean sheet v Real Sociedad, who is now into his third season at the club. The 26-year-old has become a key part of their make-up and will be looking to cement his place with the Black Stars with the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers starting next month.
PATHE CISS (SENEGAL & RAYO VALLECANO)
Ciss provided an assist for the second goal by Rayo Vallecano, which ultimately proved to be the winner after Sociedad pulled one back late on. He laid on Sergio Camello’s goal six minutes from the end having only been on the pitch for a short while after coming off the bench. Ciss is into his fourth season at the club having never quite managed to cement a starting berth on a regular basis, but he has proven a more than adequate option off the bench.
DAILON LIVRAMENTO (CAPE VERDE & HELLAS VERONA)
Verona made a dream start to the Serie A season with a 3-0 home win against Napoli and were sent on their way by an opener from Cape Verde forward Livramento. It was a goal on debut for the 23-year-old, who arrived at the club in this transfer window from MVV in the Netherlands second-tier, where he had netted 16 goals in 17 starts (and 35 appearances in all) last season. He could be one to watch in Italy this campaign!