African ALL Stars: Goals saves and assists for Africa’s leading stars

Nicolas Jackson was back among the goals and Andre Onana kept another clean sheet as Africa’s stars proved influential once more for their teams in Europe’s elite leagues.

Here is a round-up of the best of the performers:

NICOLAS JACKSON (SENEGAL & CHELSEA)

Jackson’s fine start to the new Premier League season continued with a brace and an assist in Cheslea’s comfortable 3-0 win at London rivals West Ham United. The Senegalese striker now has four goals in five league games to go with two assists for six goal contributions in all. His first was a great solo effort inside four minutes as he was released on the left flank and as the Hammers defence stood off him, he stormed towards the six-yard box and put the ball between the legs of the goalkeeper. The second was an excellent finish on 18 minutes as Moisés Caicedo’s through ball was perfect for Jackson to run on to, show his pace and expertly plant the ball in the bottom corner. He wasn’t done yet though as he turned provider for Cole Palmer with a ball into the attacking midfielder that was brilliantly finished.  

BRYAN MBEUMO (CAMEROON & BRENTFORD)

Brentford have made a habit of scoring early goals this season. They netted after 22 seconds against Manchester City last time out and took all of 23 seconds to find the back of the net against Tottenham Hotspur. This time it was Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo on target with a superb finish, his fourth goal of the campaign already. It was a brilliant finish as he volleyed Keane Lewis-Potter’s cross into the back of the net from 12 yards. But as with against City, Brentford could not hold on and they ended up losing 3-1.     

ILIMAN NDIAYE (SENEGAL & EVERTON)

It has been a tough old start to the season for injury-ravaged Everton, but the one bright spark has certainly been new signing Ndiaye, who arrived from a season on Ligue 1 with Marseille. He has seen Everton offer a much greater attacking threat this campaign and once they sort out their defensive issues with the return of injured players, will likely be a tough prospect. He took his goal against Leicester City superbly, running at the defence before firing low into the bottom corner of the net for one of the goals of the weekend. Everton had to settle for a draw, but there are more promising signs for Ndiaye and The Toffees.   

SAM MORSY (EGYPT & IPSWICH TOWN)

Ipswich looked to heading for defeat against Southampton before Morsy stepped up with an equaliser on 95 minutes for a 1-1 draw that may feel like a win. It was a fine strike too as he hit the ball from outside of the box and a slight deflection took it into the top corner of the net. It is a first Premier League goal for the 33-year-old Egypt international, who had campaigned with Ipswich in the third tier two years ago before their rapid rise up the English football pyramid.  It is his also his first goal since he scored for Ipswich against Leicester City in the Championship last December.  

ANDRE ONANA (CAMEROON & MANCHESTER UNITED)

Goalkeeper Onana helped Manchester United to a third clean sheet in five Premier League matches this season when they played to a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palade at Selhurst Park. There was one double-save in particular that was brilliant as he showed great reflexes to make the initial stop and then got back to his feet in a flash to save again from the rebound. He can be unorthodox, but there is no doubting Onana is a great shot-stopper and one of the best in the Premier League.  

ALEX IWOBI (NIGERIA & FULHAM)

Fulham’s bright start to the season continued with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Newcastle United, inflicting a first defeat of the campaign on the Magpies. Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi played his part, laying on the second goal for Emile Smith Rowe. It was a first assist of the campaign for Iwobi to go with the goal he scored against Leicester City. The latter provided a brilliant pass inside the box for Smith Rowe to run onto and while the keeper might have done better with the shot, the pass was all vision and football intellect from Iwobi. 

MOHAMED SALAH (EGYPT & LIVERPOOL)

Salah was not among the goals as Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth, but he did register yet another assist for The Reds at Anfield. He was responsible for Liverpool’s third goal as he released Uruguayan forward Darwin Nunez down the righthand side and the latter’s brilliant show arrowed into the far corner of the net. That is now three goals and four assists for Salah in five games this season as he continues to be Liverpool’s most influential attacker.

INAKI WILLIAMS (GHANA & ATHLETIC BILBAO)

Athletic Bilbao moved into third place in LaLiga with a comprehensive 3-1 home win over Celta Vigo and once again Williams played his part. He managed a hat-trick of assist in the 3-2 win at Las Palmas the week before, and got another for Bilbao’s third goal that sealed the three points. Williams showed brilliant pace to race onto a pass and get to the byline, providing a perfect cross for Álvaro Djaló to head home with 10 minutes remaining.

NICOLAS PEPE (IVORY COAST & VILLARREAL)

It was a tough old afternoon for Villarreal as they caved to a 5-1 home loss against runaway Barcelona on Sunday, the Catalans making it six wins from six in this year’s LaLiga title race and already opening up a four-point lead at the top of the table. But Pepe did at least grab an assist for himself as Villarreal had hope when they brought the score to 2-1, providing a goal for Ayoze Perez. It was Pepe’s run and brilliant ball across the Barca box that was fired home by Perez. It was a first assist of the campaign for the Ivorian.    

ANAS HAJ MOHAMED (TUNISIA & PARMA)

Parma looked to be heading for certain defeat at Lecce as they trailed 2-0 in the 93rd minute, but step up Tunisian teenager Anas Haj Mohamed to provide two assists in a stunning senior debut for the club. Mohamed maybe did not know too much about the first assists, he was on a twisting run in the box and looked to be fouled, but the referee played on and Pontus Almqvist netted from the loose ball. The second was a brilliant cross from deep to the back post that was headed into the top corner by Antoine Hainaut. One thing is for sure, Mohamed will never forget his professional debut!