African players were in action across the top leagues of Europe against the weekend and here is SuperSport.com look at the best performers from the continent with the likes of Ademola Lookman and Mohamed Salah showing great consistency
INAKI WILLIAMS (ATHLETIC BILBAO & GHANA): A goal after 18 minutes and then an assist with 14 minutes to go saw the Black Stars striker take the lead role in his side’s 2-0 away win art Deportivo Alaves on Friday. The victory at Mendizorrotza, a ground where they have not won for two decades, catapulted the Basque club up to fourth in the LaLiga standings. Williams’ goal was his third of the season and set up by Mikel Vesga’s through ball. Williams then teed up Oihan Sancet for the second goal in the 76th minute.
ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE (EVERTON & MALI): The French-born midfielder, who won two caps for Mali in the World Cup qualifiers ahead of the Qatar finals, helped Everton avoid their worst start to the season since 1958. It was Doucoure who set the platform for the surprise 3-1 win at Brentford, thundering home from close range as he caught the ball cleanly from a twisting position. He almost scored an identical goal some 20 minutes later but his shot hit the post. Afterwards Doucoure spoke about his international future and made it clear he is not interested in participating in January’s Africa Cup of Nations finals.
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (ATALANTA & NIGERIA): The Nigerian international scored for a second successive Serie A game as Atalanta won 2-0 at home to newly promoted Cagliari. Lookman served notice with a powerful shot from close range that hit the bar in the 26th minute, doing well to weave around the opposing defenders and open up space for his shot. He did not have to wait long for his goal, however, as he had an easy finish from Charles De Ketelaere’s square pass some six minutes later.
MOHAMED SALAH (LIVERPOOL & EGYPT): Salah put away a first half penalty to lay the foundation for yet another win for the Reds, who have shot up to second place in the Premier League on the back of their 3-1 success over West Ham United on Sunday. Salah won the penalty when he was stonewall tackled by Nayef Aguerd, the Morocco centre back. Salah is now on a total of 142 Premier League goals, inching towards the 150-mark.
ANDRE ONANA (MANCHESTER UNITED & CAMEROON): After his goalkeeping howler in the Champions League against Bayern Munich last week, Onana needed to banish the demons as well as demonstrate his abilities again, and did so in the 1-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor. He did have some good fortune as Burnley hit the woodwork before Manchester United took the lead on the stroke of halftime.
SORY KABA (LAS PALMAS & GUINEA): LaLiga newboys Las Palmas got their first win on their return to the top flight in Spain as Kirian Rodriguez hit home two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game after Kaba teed him up. It had taken the Canary Islanders six games to get the victory and it might have been by more had Kaba not missed a close in header shortly after coming on in the 66th minute.
Source: AFP
