There were goals from the usual suspects in Italy, while Youssef En-Nesyri finally got off the mark in LaLiga this campaign.
We round up the best performances from African players in Europe this past weekend.
VICTOR OSIMHEN (NAPOLI & NIGERIA)
Another game, another goal, Nigerian forward Osimhen just can’t stop scoring for Napoli in Serie A. This weekend he got the opener in a 2-1 win over Roma that opened up a 13-point lead at the top of the table for the Naples club. It was a brilliant finish as he collected a cross on his chest, took a touch and blasted the ball into the roof of the net. Amazing technique.
That is now 14 goals this season, which matches his total for the last campaign and we are only in January. He now has 38 goals in 54 Serie A starts for Napoli.
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (ATALANTA & NIGERIA)
Another player who can’t stop scoring is Lookman, with the Nigerian winger having now netted seven times in the last four games. He had scored a brace in each of his previous three games, but ‘only’ managed one in the 2-0 home success over Sampdoria. It was a fine solo effort as he charged into the Sampdoria box and blasted a low shot past goalkeeper Emilio Audero. Atalanta are now up to fourth and the Champions League qualification places.
BOULAYE DIA (SALERNITANA & SENEGAL)
Dia scored a second goal in three games and an eighth of the Serie A season as he helped Salernitana to a 2-1 victory at Lecce. The 26-year-old opened the scoring on five minutes with a superb strike from 30-yards as he volleyed the ball low into the back of the net. He also laid on an assist for Tonny Vilhena to score Salernitana’s second. An excellent all-round contribution.
DAVID OKEREKE (CREMONESE & NIGERIA)
Nigerian attacker Okereke scored for the second game running as he took his tally to five for the season having joined Cremonese from Club Brugge in Belgium at the start of the campaign. He gave his side the lead on 11 minutes with a stunning strike from outside the box as he cut in from the left wing and unleashed a right-footed shot into the top corner.
But Inter roared back to claim a 2-1 victory and Cremonese remain winless from their 20 matches this season (D8 L12).
YOUSSEF EN-NESYRI (SEVILLA & MOROCCO)
En-Nesyri finally opened his account in LaLiga this season with a brace of goals as Sevilla brushed aside Elche 3-0. The star of the World Cup in Qatar for Morocco had drawn a blank in his first 14 LaLiga appearances in 2022/23 but broke his duck this weekend. His first goal was a typically towering header as he rose to power the ball into the back of the net, while his second was a lovely, composed left-foot finish from an excellent team move. The first two goals of many he will hope in the second half of the season.
THEO BONGONDA (CADIZ & DR CONGO)
Bongonda scored a second goal of the LaLiga season on his return to Spain from three seasons at Genk in Belgium, helping Cadiz to a 2-0 home win over Mallorca that brings them to within three points of relegation safety. The DR Congo star netted on 10 minutes as he poked the ball home from close-range after a well-worked team move. It is just a fourth win of the season for Cadiz.
KELECHI IHEANACHO (LEICESTER CITY & NIGERIA)
The Nigeria forward is having a great run in the FA Cup this season. Having scored the winner for Leicester City in the previous round, he did so again as they defeated Walsall 1-0 to book a place in the fifth stage. There was a hint of good fortune as his shot from outside the area took a wicked deflection, but you also make you own luck. With just one start in the Premier League all season, it seems Leicester see Iheanacho as a cup specialist.
TARIQ LAMPTEY (BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION & GHANA)
Lamptey has been the subject of some transfer rumours that suggest he could leave Brighton in this window, but she showed his value to the club on Saturday as they defeated holders Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round. Lamptey has a single start in the Premier League but has featured from the beginning in all their cup games this season. It was his low drive from 30-yards that deflected into the goal off teammate Lewis Dunk to bring Brighton level at 1-1, before they went on to get a very late winner.
AMADOU MBENGUE (READING & SENEGAL)
Defender Mbengue scored a consolation goal for Reading in their FA Cup tie at Manchester United, though it will be one that lives long in the memory for him having netted at Old Trafford. He does not score many, this is only the second goal of his career as he headed home a corner on 72 minutes.