Africa’s players in Europe’s elite competitions and the South African league shone again this weekend, with match-winning displays at this crucial juncture of the season.
Here is a round-up of the star performers from this past weekend, including cup joy in England.
ISMAILA SARR (SENEGAL & CRYSTAL PALACE)
Crystal Palace have never won a major trophy in their 119-year history but find themselves in the FA Cup semifinals following a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday.
Senegal star Sarr netted their second goal as he headed home a delightful cross from Eberechi Eze for a fourth strike in as many games. It takes his tally of goals for Palace this season to nine in all competitions and after a slow start to the campaign, the 27-year-old is proving to be one of the form players in England. Palace now face Aston Villa in the FA Cup semis.
OMAR MARMOUSH (EGYPT & MANCHESTER CITY)
Manchester City had to come from behind to secure a 2-1 FA Cup quarterfinal win over Bournemouth and their in-form Egyptian international Marmoush provided the winner. Both of City’s goals were set up by 20-year-old left-back Nico O'Reilly, who came on as a halftime substitute with City trailing 1-0.
After supplying Erling Haaland for the first, it was his clever flick into the path of Marmoush that allowed the striker to beat Bournemouth keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who probably should have done better. That is a fifth goal in seven starts for Marmoush since his January move from Eintracht Frankfurt. City will take on Nottingham Forest in the semifinals of the FA Cup.
PATHE CISS (SENEGAL & RAYO VALLECANO)
Rayo Vallecano’s push for a place in European football next season continued as they claimed a 2-0 victory at Alaves. They were given the perfect start by Ciss, who netted inside two minutes to settle any nerves the away side might have had.
He rose to meet a header at the near post from a corner and steered the ball into the back of the net for a fine finish. That is a third goal to go with one assist this season in LaLiga for the Senegal midfielder.
YOUSSOUF SABALY (SENEGAL & REAL BETIS)
Real Betis are just ahead of Rayo Vallecano in the race for European places and they claimed a sixth LaLiga win in a row with a 2-1 home success against Sevilla, making them the form team in the top division.
They fell behind in this game, but Sabaly helped them equalise midway through the first half when he provided the assist for João Cardoso with a pin-point cross from the byline that was perfect for the latter to volley into the back of the net. It was a first assist of the season for the Senegalese midfielder after 17 starts and two sub appearances.
ZITO LUVUMBO (ANGOLA & CAGLIARI)
Cagliari moved six points clear of the relegation zone as they completed a comprehensive 3-0 win over bottom side Monza, with Angolan star Luvumbo on target late in the game. He came off the bench to score as he beat the offside trap and raced towards goal, before firing low into the bottom right corner of the net. It is a second goal to go with a single assist for the forward in 13 starts and six sub appearances in Serie A this season.
CHRISTIAN KOUAME (IVORY COAST & EMPOLI)
Empoli came from behind to gain a point towards their survival this season with a 1-1 draw at Como that leaves them still in the relegation zone, but two points from safety with eight games to play. Kouame netted with 15 minutes remaining as he headed home from two yards out. It was his first goal for the club since he joined on loan from Fiorentina in early February. He has made four starts and three sub appearances for the club. Kouame then had a great chance to win it but fired over the bar with just the keeper to beat.
KNOX MUTIZWA (ZIMBABWE & LAMONTVILLE GOLDEN ARROWS)
Zimbabwe international striker Mutizwa is a study in longevity having played in the Premier Soccer League for nine seasons now. In that time he has 62 goals in all competitions, all for Lamontville Golden Arrows, and he added to that tally with a winner against Kaizer Chiefs as Abafana Bes’thende kept their top eight hopes alive. Mutizwa first provided an assist for Nduduzo Sibiya to give Golden Arrows the lead when he unselfishly passed instead of going for goal himself, leaving his teammate to net a tap-in at the back post.
He then netted the winner 12 minutes from the end as Siyanda Mthanti’s low cross was not dealt with by Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma, and Mutizwa side-footed into the empty net. It is a third goal to go with an assist for the striker in eight starts and three sub appearances this season.
LEBOHANG NKAKI (SOUTH AFRICA & POLOKWANE CITY)
Nkaki had not scored in 22 starts this season prior to Polokwane City’s home clash with Richards Bay on Sunday but came up with two goals and an assist to give his side a 3-1 victory as they ended a seven-game winless run in the league.
The centre-back headed in Oswin Appollis’ cross to open the scoring, before he then headed into the path of Mokibelo Ramabu for the latter to score a second. That was also his first assist of the season.
Nkaki added to his excellent game when he converted a penalty to make sure of the points as Polokwane won 3-1. They are sixth in the table and despite their poor recent run, very much in contention for CAF Confederation Cup place next season.