Sports

Too Good, Too Bad: How African stars performed in Europe last weekend

Published

3 years ago

May 23, 2022

It was curtain closed on major European league at the weekend with football taking a break across the continent but on the final day, a couple of African stars were still in action for their respective clubs.

In the English Premier League, it was a fitting and nail biting finale involving some top continent talents which saw Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez and co pip Liverpool’s quartet of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Joel Matip and Naby Keita to the EPL title on the final day.

Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha recorded yet another career milestone when he scored the only goal which saw Manchester United go back to Old Trafford empty handed.

Africa News Watch takes a look at how a select Africa soccer stars fared with their teams in their respective leagues and competitions.

Too Good

Riyad Mahrez:Manchester City

Algerian Riyad Mahrez was saved the embarrassment his penalty miss against West Ham penultimate week could have caused City an Ilkay Gundogan inspired 15-minutes comeback win against Aston Villa in a dramatic 3-2 win which saw the Citizens retain its title.

Mahrez was involved from the start in the make or break encounter and contributed his quota to the win which ensured City took home its sixth diadem.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane: Liverpool

Though Liverpool failed to usurp Manchester City to win the EPL title on the final day despite a 3-1 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Egyptian captain Mohamed Salah still smiled as he won the Premier League Golden Boot award for the 2021-22 season with his 23rd goal after he added one in the win over Wolves at Anfield.

The Egyptian who levelled with Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min who also scored 23 goals from 35 appearances, won based on the number assists he had.

This would be the third time Salah would be picking the highest scorer award alongside the Premier League’s Playmaker award with his 13 assists.

His African compatriot, Senegalese Sadio Mane, also played a critical role in the season’s finale when he scored to equalize for Liverpool after an early goal by Wolves, while the other African contingents in the Reds fold, Cameroon’s Joel Matip, Guinea’s Naby Keita and Mali-qualified Ibrahim Konate were all involved in the match.

Franck Kessie: AC Milan

The Barcelona-bound Ivorian midfielder, Franck Kessie, was a key feature as AC Milan defeated Sassuolo 3-0 to claim its first Serie A title in 11 years on Sunday.

Kessie scored the third goal for Milan after Olivier Giroud had already claimed a brace as they lifted the trophy on the final day.

It had been a season-long battle between Milan and Inter Milan, and the Rossoneri only needed a point to lay their hands on the title they last won in the 2010/11 season, although they had a two-point lead over Inter and a better head-to-head record, which could have been the tiebreaker.

Zaidu Sanusi, Chancel Mbemba: Porto

Nigerian defender, Zaidu Sanusi and DR Congo’s defense lynchpin, Chancel Mbemba, were both involved as Porto lifted the Portugal Cup after a 3-1 victory over Tondela.

Mehdi Taremi’s brace and a goal from Vitor Ferreira ensured Porto lifted the domestic trophy, while Tondela’s goal was scored by Neto Borges.

Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun, Amad Diallo, Fashion Sakala: Rangers

Nigeria’s trio of Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, and Leon Balogun, were all on from the start as Rangers won their 137th Scottish Cup final, beating Hearts 2-0.

Goals from substitutes Ryan Jack and Scott Wright in the first period of extra-time gave Rangers the win.

The other Africans in the team, Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo and Fashion Sakala of Zambia also played their parts in the victory.

Diallo who stated the game was substituted in the 63rd minute while Sakala replaced Aribo in extra time.

Wilfried Zaha: Crystal Palace

The Ivorian winger, Wilfred Zaha, got the only goal as Crystal Palace defeated Manchester United 1-0 at Selhurst Park.

The goal was Zaga’s 14th Premier League goal of the season for Palace, with only three players ever netting more for the Eagles in a single Premier League season: Chris Armstrong in 1992-93 (15), Andrew Johnson in 2004-05 (21) and Christian Benteke in 2016-17 (15).

Zaha has also scored three league goals against his former club, Manchester United, the joint-most a player has scored against the Red Devils after playing for them in the competition

Too Bad

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Barcelona

The now retired Gabonese striker was on from the start as Barcelona suffered a 2-0 at home at the hands of Villarreal in their last game of the season.

The defeat saw Barca finishing with their lowest La Liga points total in 14 years with 73 points though they ended a turbulent season in second place behind Real Madrid, and without a trophy.

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Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

9 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”