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AFRICAN ALL Stars: Lookman back and among the goals

football16 September 2024 14:00| © Mzansi Football
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Africa’s star names in Europe were back in action for their clubs this weekend after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and several provided goals, assists and saves to help their teams to victory.

Here is a round-up of the best performers in the top leagues.

YOANE WISSA (DR CONGO & BRENTFORD)

Brentford’s trip to Manchester City would end in a 2-1 defeat but they were given hope very early on when Wissa netted after only 22 seconds at The Etihad.

It is a third goal in four games for the DR Congo international this season, and his first away from home.

He got 12 goals in the entire Premier League season in 2023/24 and must feel he can beat that this term.

Wissa headed home after City failed to deal with a cross into the box to stun the home side.

But two Erling Haaland goals (who else?) meant Brentford, who were the last team to beat City at the Etihad in the Premier League, went away empty handed.

MARIO LEMINA (GABON & WOLVES)

Lemina doesn’t score many goals but opened his account for the 2024/25 season with the opening goal for Wolverhampton Wanderers at home to Newcastle United, but again the day would end in a 2-1 defeat.

It was a nicely-worked goal for the home side too, Jørgen Strand Larsen crossed low from the right, João Gomes dummied in the box and left a tap-in for captain Lemina at the back post.

The Gabon international scored four times last season, easily the best return of his career to date.

AMAD DIALLO (IVORY COAST & MANCHESTER UNITED)

Winger Diallo only started three Premier League games for Manchester United last season but already has that number in the bag this campaign as manager Erik ten Hag puts his faith in the 22-year-old Ivorian.

He has repaid that faith with a goal and now an assist in the 3-0 victory over Southampton this weekend.

Diallo fed Marcos Rashford on the edge of the box and the striker arrowed a shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 to the Red Devils.

ANDRE ONANA (CAMEROON & MANCHESTER UNITED)

Before Diallo provided his assist, Manchester United were grateful to goalkeeper Andre Onana for saving a penalty when the score was 0-0, and ultimately keeping a clean sheet as Southampton put a lot of early pressure on their visitors.

Onana is a fantastic shot-stopper and showed great athleticism to get down low to his right and keep out the spot-kick from Cameron Archer.

He was also back on his feet in lightning quick fashion as Archer tried a header from the rebound that Onana comfortable held in his grasp.

It was a second Premier League clean sheet of the season for Onana and a first away from Old Trafford.

WILFRED NDIDI (NIGERIA & LEICESTER)

Leicester City will be kicking themselves that they could not get a first win of the season when they led 2-0 at Crystal Palace into the second half, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw, including conceding a 92nd minute penalty.

Ndidi set up both goals for his side though in a fine individual display. It was his through-ball that was finished by Jamie Vardy for the opener.

He then guided the ball into the path of Stephy Mavididi, who provided a fine volley for the second goal. But the Foxes could not hold on.

INAKI WILLIAMS (GHANA & ATHLETIC BILBAO)

Williams was not on the scoresheet himself but did provide a hat-trick of assists for Athletico Bilbao as they won 3-2 away at Las Palmas, including one for his brother Nico.

It was a superb individual performance from Inaki, who continues to be a stand-out performer week in, week out.

His first assist came for Oihan Sancet after seven minutes as he stormed down the right flank and crossed low, the ball reaching the latter to score.

The second was a perfect ball into the path of younger brother Nico that ended up with the ball in the bottom corner of the net.

His hat-trick of assists was completed as he played a long cross back across the goal and Aitor Paredes had the simplest of tap-ins.

ABDE EZZALZOULI (MOROCCO & REAL BETIS)

Real Betis beat Leganes 2-0 on Friday night and among their scorers was Morocco international Ezzalzouli, who got the opener on 74 minutes.

It was a first of the season for the former Barcelona attacker, as his club also picked up a maiden win at the fourth attempt.

Ezzalzouli scored from all of two yards as he was picked up by a run to the by-line, but still had some work to do to beat the goalkeeper from such close-range.

With a single goal in 26 appearances (six starts) last season, the 22-year-old will hope the floodgates open.

LOGAN COSTA (CAPE VERDE & VILLARREAL)

Villareal continued their fine start to the season with a 2-1 win at Mallorca and it was Cape Verde international Costa who scored their opening goal, and also his first of the season.

The defender arrived from Toulouse at the start of the campaign and is not a regular scorer, he in fact has five in 106 league appearances in his career to date.

Villarreal got a bit lucky when they were erroneously awarded a corner, but Costa made no mistake with his header to power his side in front and into LaLiga’s top four.

SELIM AMALLAH (MOROCCO & VALLADOLID)

It was a tough old afternoon for Real Valladolid as they lost 3-1 at Celta Vigo on Sunday, but Morocco international Amallah was at least involved in their consolation goal.

It was his ball forward that found Raúl Moro on the left flank and the forward drove towards goal, providing a neat finish.

It is only a second goal of the campaign for Valladolid in their five matches. They will want to improve form fast or it could be a long old campaign.

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (NIGERIA & ATALANTA)

Atalanta edged a five-goal thriller against Fiorentina on Sunday with all the goals coming in the first half, the last of which was netted by Nigerian star Lookman.

The winger had been linked several times with a move away from Atalanta but nothing materialised and for now he remains.

He made a first Serie A appearance of the campaign, fresh from scoring a brace for Nigeria against Benin in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and found the back of the net again.

It was a second goal in a minute for Atalanta after he chased what looked a lost cause, before showing trickery in the box to beat several defenders and fire low into the back of the net.

A reminder, if one was needed, of his quality.

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