There were several outstanding performances by Africa’s top players in Europe this past weekend, and we round up the best of them with goals and assists galore.
IDRISSA GUEYE (SENEGAL & EVERTON)
Next fixture: West Ham (h)
Everton were left to rue a slow start to the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool at Anfield, as they trailed 2-0 inside the opening half-hour. But after that they were the better side and Senegal star Gueye dragged them back into the contest with a super strike. Jack Grealish’s cross from the left was cushioned into his path by international teammate Iliman Ndiaye and Gueye rifled the ball past Allison in the Liverpool goal. They could not find an equaliser, but it was a first goal contribution of the season for the midfielder.
ALEX IWOBI (NIGERIA & FULHAM)
Next fixture: Aston Villa (a)
Iwobi continues to impress at Fulham and came up with a goal and an assist in the 3-1 win over Brentford. It takes his goals contribution to three in five matches this campaign, and he has again been a key man for Fulham in their good start to the campaign. The Cottagers had fallen behind before Iwobi equalised with a half-volley as Brentford struggled to clear their lines. Two minutes later he laid on the goal that gave them the lead as his low cross from the left was perfect for Harry Wilson to score.
YANKUBA MINTEH (GAMBIA & BRIGHTON)
Next fixture: Chelsea (a)
Brighton let a two-goal lead slip as they were 2-2 at home by Tottenham, but were given the lead by the always impressive Minteh. The pacy right winger drove into the Spurs box before firing low into the net after just eight minutes. It was his first goal of the campaign to go with an assist, and surely they will start to flow more freely now after Brighton had a tricky start to the campaign. That said, they have a tough trip to Stamford Bridge next where there will be several former Brighton players in the opposition.
MOHAMMED KUDUS (GHANA & SPURS)
Next fixture: Wolves (h)
Kudus was part of the Tottenham comeback at Brighton as he laid on their first goal, but also had a vital hand in the second, though he will not be credited with the assist. The Ghana winger laid on Spurs’ first for Richarlison to finish from close range as found the Brazilian in the box. With the clock running down, it was then Kudu’s excellent cross into the box that was turned into his own net by Brighton defender Jan van Hecke. Unfortunately you don’t get an assist for an own goal! Kudus now has three ‘genuine’ assist this season.
LYLE FOSTER (SOUTH AFRICA & BURNLEY)
Next fixture: Manchester City (a)
Foster had another excellent outing for Burnley as he helped them come from behind to grab a point against Nottingham Forest. He provided the assist for Jaidon Anthony with a lovely through-ball that was finished by the forward. Foster had a chance of his own inside the six-yard box, but just failed to get a connection on the ball under pressure from the defender. That is a goal and assist in his last three games for the 24-year-old Bafana Bafana international.
EL HADJI MALICK DIOUF (SENEGAL & WEST HAM)
Next fixture: Everton (a)
It has been a dreadful campaign so far for West Ham and they slipped to another loss this past weekend as they went down at home to Crystal Palace. But the form of Diouf has been excellent as along with Jarod Bowen they have been the two bright sparks for the side. He got his third assists of the season when he provided a corner for Bowen to finish and make it 1-1. The Hammers could not hold on though, and manager Graham Potter is under real pressure now.
PAPE GUEYE (SENEGAL & VILLARREAL)
Next fixtures: Sevilla (a) & Athletic Club (h)
Gueye has had to fill the boots of the departed Thierno Barry at Villarreal this season, after the latter moved to Everton. And he has done so with aplomb so far, scoring in in the 2-1 win over Osasuna on Saturday, his second of the campaign. The 26-year-old is in his second season at the club and only managed four goals last campaign, so is off to a fine start. There was a slice of luck about his winner five minutes from the end, his 25-yard shot took a healthy deflection and nestled into the bottom corner of the net.
ETTA EYONG (CAMEROON & LEVANTE)
Next fixtures: Real Madrid (h) & Getafe (a)
Levante let a two-goal lead inside 10 minutes slip as they were held 2-2 by Real Betis but Eying did get on the scoresheet for the second game in a row. It was another good finish as he rounded the keeper and then beat two defenders on the goal-line to score and send the home crowd into raptures. It was a third goal contribution in two games this season to go with an assist as the 21-yearold makes a big impression.
GIFT ORBAN (NIGERIA & HELLAS VERONA)
Next fixture: Roma (a)
Nigerian Orban got his first of the season as he netted in Verona’s 1-1 draw with Juventus. The 23-year-old scored from the penalty-spot for his first Serie A goal since his move from Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga. He was prolific in the early part of his career in Norway and Belgium, but the goals have dried up in recent campaigns and he managed four at Hoffenheim last season. This is a good start to life in Italy.
KAMALDEEN SULEMANA (GHANA & ATALANTA)
Next fixture: Juventus (a)
Atalanta were handsome 3-0 winners at Torino and among their scorers was the Ghanian Sulemana. It was his second goal contribution of the campaign but the first time he has found the back of the net since his move to Serie A from Southampton. He picked up the ball on the edge of the box and fired a low shot into the bottom right corner of the net. It was a good finish that made it 2-0 for Atalanta.