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

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It was a good footballing weekend for a lot of African players as some of them posted superlative performances for their European club sides.

Egypt captain, Mohamed Salah was the hero for Liverpool, scoring the only goal as the Reds put aside their poor run of form to pip Manchester City 1-0 to kick start their faltering EPL season.

Also in England, Ghanaian international, Thomas Partey was in best element again as Arsenal laboured to a 1-0 win over Leeds United to maintain top spot in the league while Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen came back from an injury induced layoff to net the winner in a 3-2 defeat of Bologna in the Serie .

Africannewswatch brings you a review of how the continent stars performed for their respective European clubs last weekend.

Mohamed Salah – Egypt/Liverpool

Egyptian captain, Mohamed Salah showed once again that he is a player for the big occasion as he scored the only goal as Liverpool truncated Manchester City’s unbeaten run in the EPL on Sunday.

Mohamed Salah was the hero at Anfield as Liverpool pipped Man City (Photo Credit:Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah was the hero at Anfield as Liverpool pipped Man City (Photo Credit:Getty Images)

After earlier missing a sitter when in a one-on-one situation with City keeper, Ederson, the 30-year-old kept his cool to slot past the Brazilian keeper.

The Pharaoh who got a long ball from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, managed to squeeze past Joao Cancelo, before racing clear to curl the ball with his left foot past Ederson.

Thomas Partey – Ghana/Arsenal

In an Arsenal team that did not come with their A-game against Leeds, Ghanaian international Thomas Partey, still put up a showing in the middle of the pack as the Gunners ran out 1-0 winners to maintain top spot in the EPL table.

Partey was on from the start and ensure the jaded Gunners did not lose their heads when Leeds turned on the screw after going a goal down courtesy of a Bukayo Saka’s screamer in the first half.

Thomas Partey was the man for Arsenal as they maintained top spot in the EPL(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Thomas Partey was the man for Arsenal as they maintained top spot in the EPL(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The win saw Mikel Arteta’s side extended their Premier League winning streak to nine matches following a hard-fought victory over the Peacocks.

Victor Osimhen – Nigeria/Napoli

In the Italian Serie A, Victor Osimhen, came back from an injury setback to grab the winner as Napoli came from behind to beat Bologna 3-2 to extend their unbeaten league run to 10, putting them top of the table.

Victor Osimhen is back with a bang (Photo Credit: Napoli FC)

Victor Osimhen is back with a bang (Photo Credit: Napoli FC)

The Super Eagles striker scored the winning goal as the Parthenopeans continued their blistering form at the start of the 2022-23 season after manager Luciano Spalletti brought him on for Giacomo Raspadori.

The former Lille striker sealed all three points for his side in the 69th minute after he was set up by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, scoring his third league goal of the season.

Sadio Mane – Senegal/Bayern Munich

The Senegalese Afcon winner scored his fifth Bundesliga goal of the season as Bayern Munich thumped hapless Freiburg 5-0 at Allianz Arena on Sunday.

Mane scored the fourth goal for the Bavarians after goals from Serge Gnabry who opened the scores with Cameroon international, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Leroy Sane added the second and third.

The 30-year-old Lion of Teranga vice captain is now joint sixth in the Bundesliga top scorers list, as well as being Bayern’s leading scorer in the league.

Ademola Lookman – Nigeria/Atalanta

Ademola Lookman made it two goals in two matches after he got on the scoresheet as Atalanta beat Sassuolo 2-1 on Saturday to climb top of the league before Napoli took over top spot the following day.

The Nigeria international scored the winning goal as Atalanta continued their imperious form at the start of the 2022-23 season with the Goddess unbeaten in 10 league games.

The Nigerian winger has four goals so far this season and is looking to be a shrewed but for Atalanta who snapped him up from RB Leipzig in the transfer window.

Ademola Lookman was the hero for Atalanta (Photo Credit: Atalanta FC)

Ademola Lookman was the hero for Atalanta (Photo Credit: Atalanta FC)

Mohammed Kudus – Ghana/Ajax

After a rare blip the previous weeks Ghana international Mohammed Kudua came off the bench to register his name on the scoresheet as Ajax thrashed Excelsior 7-1 in an Eredivisie fixture on Sunday.

So far, Kudus has scored five league goals from 10 appearances and is ranked joint sixth in the Eredivisie top scorers chart, as well as being the Ajax’s third-top league scorer.

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Tragedy as coach killed, players injured in Sierra Leone club bus crash

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One of the coaches of Sierra Leonean club, Port Authority FC, Lamine Bangoura, a former international, has been confirmed killed while several players sustained different degrees of injuries after the team bus was involved in an accident on Tuesday night when going for a football game.

According to a statement from the club management, the players and officials of the top flight clubside are still reeling from the effect of the accident.

A local media which reported on the devastating accident on Wednesday said:

“The Sierra Leonean football is in mourning. On Tuesday evening, the Port Authority FC bus was involved in an accident. Several first team players are injured and in critical condition after this tragedy.

“The worst was the death of the Port Authority FC coach, Lamine Bangoura, who did not survive after receiving a serious blow during the accident.

“The team was en route to Kenema for a crucial match against Kahunla Rangers when tragedy struck, leaving several members in critical condition.

“The accident, which occurred at Konta Line, has claimed the life of the former Sierra Leone international and team coach, Lamine Bangura.

“Lamine Bangura was a highly revered figure in Sierra Leonean football and leaves behind a legacy that transcends the sport.

“Despite the best efforts of medical personnel at Masiaka Hospital, Bangura succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a void in Sierra Leonean football.”

The Sierra Leone Premier League Board, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed deep regret and sent condolences to the team.

“While details of the incident are still emerging, it has been confirmed that there were injuries sustained by individuals involved in the accident.

“Our immediate priority is the well-being and recovery of those affected by this unfortunate event,” the statement said.

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‘I stood up for my teammates’, Super Eagles’ Bright Osayi defends beating up pitch invader

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Super Eagles and Fernabache of Turkey defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, has opened up on why he had to beat up a pitch invader in the wake of a brawl with some fans of Tranzonspor during a match in a Turkish Superlig.

The right-back had come under the spotlight when he was seen beating up a fan of Tranzonspor who had attempted to attack Fernabache players during the match last Sunday.

While many fans of the club had applauded Osayi-Samuel’s action, even going ahead to make a graffiti of the scene, others have condemned him and even went as far as demanding sanctions for him.

But while speaking to sports journalists on Monday in Morocco where the Eagles are currently preparing for a friendly match against Mali, the 25-year-old defender said he had to stand up for his teammates in self defence.

“The fans attacked the team, some had weapons on them, I had to defend my team, it was self defence, that’s what happened,” he said.

“My teammates suffered cuts and bruises, some were really scared, several others also joined me to try to defend the team.

“We found a way to win and avenge our only loss in the league to the same team after they beat us at our home in the first round,” he added.

Fans of Trabzonspor had invaded the pitch after title-chasing Fenerbache recorded a 3-2 win at away to keep up the pressure on league leaders Galatasaray, a defeat which angered the home fans and led to them invading the pitch.

But they met their match in the Super Eagles player who chased some and pounced on them heavily.

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