Africans abroad: Awoniyi proves saviour for Forest again

The top performances keep on coming for Africa’s elite players in the best leagues in the world and this past weekend was no exception with great goals and clever assists to help them their teams to wins.

TAIWO AWONIYI (NOTTINGHAM FOREST & NIGERIA)

Awoniyi continues his role as saviour for Nottingham Forest this season as his winning goal against arsenal ensured safety from relegation for the club. The Nigeria international showed his pace to get away from the defence and then applied a cool finish under some pressure from the defender. It was a ninth goal of the Premier League season for the forward and fifth in three games as he almost single-handedly led Forest clear of danger. At the same time, he ended Arsenal’s slim hopes of winning the title.

BRYAN MBEUMO (BRENTFORD & CAMEROON)

Mbeumo is another who has finished the season strongly and taken over the scoring role for Brentford in the absence of the suspended Ivan Toney. The Bees had fallen behind at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, but Mbeumo equalised with a typical strike, cutting inside onto his left foot and rifling low into the bottom corner of the net. He then used his pace to get in behind the Spurs defence and applying a cool finish to give Brentford the lead. The Indomitable Lions was not done though as he laid a third on a plate for Yoane Wissa. He has taken his Premier League tally to nine goals this season.

YOANE WISSA (BRENTFORD & DR CONGO)

Wissa bagged the third for Brentford in their first ever win over Spurs, adding the cherry on top to their historic day. He was played into space in the box by Mbeumo and had the simple task of beating Fraser Forster in the home goal. It was a seventh goal of the season and second in as many games for the DR Congo forward. He had also set up a goal for Mbeumo before that for another excellent all-round display.

MOHAMED SALAH (LIVERPOOL & EGYPT)

Egypt star Salah has been a big reason for Liverpool’s improved fortunes of late and it was his excellent assist that earned The Reds a home draw with Aston Villa on Saturday. Salah bent in a cross with the outside of his boot that allowed the departing Roberto Firmino to finish from close range. It was a special piece of skill from Salah and his 11th assist of the campaign, the highest for the Merseyside club this season. Add to that his 19 goals and he now has 30 goal contributions in the Premier League this campaign.

THEO BONGONDA (CADIZ & DR CONGO)

Cadiz gave their survival hopes a massive boost with a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Real Valladolid to move three points clear of the drop zone. Hero for the home side was DR Congo forward Bongonda, who netted a brace and in doing so doubled his tally for the season to four. His first was an absolute screamer as he picked the ball up from 35 yards out, beat one defender and rifled his shot into the roof of the net. It was certainly among the best goals his side has scored this season. His second was from the penalty spot after teammate Ruben Alcaraz had already missed from 12-yards in the game. It was a truly match-winning display from Bongonda.

INAKI WILLIAMS (ATHLETIC BILBAO & GHANA)

Athletic Bilbao overcame a recent wobble to reignite their hopes of European football next season with a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, during which Ghana international Williams both scored a goal and provided an assist. Bilbao had taken one point from the previous 12 available but bounced back to winning ways as Williams put them in front after five minutes with a superb header from 12 yards that arrowed into the far corner. It was his pass to teammate Alex Berenguer that allowed the latter to wriggle free in the box and score a superb winner. Williams took his tally for the season to 10 goals, the second time he has hit double figures in his career. Could he top his personal high of 13 goals scored in the 2018/19 season?

ANDRE-FRANK ZAMBO ANGUISSA (NAPOLI & CAMEROON)

Champions League finalists Inter Milan travelled to Serie A champions Napoli on Sunday and were well beaten 3-1, with Cameroon international Anguissa proving a major catalyst for the Naples club. He scored his side’s opener on 67 minutes with a sharp turn and shot in the box, and then laid on a second for Giovanni Di Lorenzo when his pass set up a shooting chance for the latter that he gleefully accepted, sending the ball into the top corner from 30-yards. Napoli now lead Serie A by 17 points, just as dominant in their own league as Mamelodi Sundowns!