It was a case of mixed fortunes for African players in Europe last weekend as some of them stood up to be counted while others ended up with their tails between their legs.

In major leagues like the English Premier League, the German Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, the Spanish La Liga and the Belgian Jupiler, a host of African players stood our of the pack with their performances.

In the EPL, Egypt captain Mohammed Salah, was the star man when he grabbed two goals as Liverpool downed Tottenham Hotspur at the New Tottenham Stadium.

In Germany, red-hot Cameroonian forward, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, showed his readiness for the Qatar 2022 World Cup when he scored a brace for Bayern Munich while Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen once again showed why he is Napoli’s go-to man after he guided his team to a 2-1 away win against Atalanta.

Africannewswatch takes a look at how African players fared in Europe last weekend.

Mohamed Salah – Liverpool

The Egyptian forward set a Premier League record on Sunday when he struck twice to seal a 2-1 victory against Spurs in a thrilling encounter.

Mohamed Salah, the history maker

The 30-year-old Salah scored both goals in the first half before Harry Kane reduced scored a consolation for Tottenham with 20 minutes left in the match to show that class is permanent.

Salah had a slow start to the current EPL season where he experienced an unprecedented goal drought but has now scored in four straight games for Liverpool in all competitions.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – Bayern Munich

Cameroonian international striker, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting once again proved his mettle when he scored a brace in Bayern Munich’s 3-2 defeat of Hertha Berlin in a Bundesliga fixture at Olympiastadion Berlin on Saturday.

Cameroonian striker Eric Choupo-Moting is in red hit form (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Bayern had taken the lead through Jamal Musiala before Choupo-Moting hit the double in quick succession to take the perenial German champions to the top of the table.

Choupo-Moting who has now scored in seven straight matches for Bayern in all competitions and has five goals in the league.

Victor Osimhen – Napoli

On Saturday, Victor Osimhen won the battle of the Super Eagles stars when he led Napoli to defeat Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta 2-1.

After conceding a penalty from where Lookman opened the score, Osimhen got the all important equaliser and assisted Eljif Elmas winner 10 minutes from half-time, which saw Luciano Spalletti’s men claim a ninth straight win in Serie A.

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

Effectively, the Super Eagle striker had a hand in all three goals; penalised for his handball in the box and the resulting 19th-minute penalty was converted by Lookman, equalising four minutes later and assisting the winning goal.

Osimhen has now scored 10 goals for the Partenopei who have a six-point lead in Serie A.

Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace

The Ivorian winger was a key figure as he played a huge role in Crystal Palace’s come back win against West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday.

After the Hammers had taken the lead courtesy of Algeria international Said Benrahma, the 29-year-old Zaha turned on the style when he got the equaliser and also set up Nigerian eligible midfielder, Michael Olise, for the winner in stoppage time.

Wilfred Zaha came good for Crystal Palace (Photo Credit:Getty Images)

Edouard Mendy – Chelsea

It was not so rosy for 30-year-old Senegal keeper, Edouard Mendy, whose Chelsea team was taught a football lesson by Arsenal at the Stamford Bridge.

Mendy failed to keep a clean sheet in his second straight fixture since returning to the fold to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Eduord Mendy was at the receiving end from Arsenal (Photo Credit: Sports Brain)

Mendy who started in the 2-1 Champions League victory against Dinamo Zagreb and could not keep a clean sheet, was also on the receiving end when he failed to shut out the Gunners who triumphed 1-0.

Said Benrahma – West Ham

The Algerian scored a piledriver to open the scoring in West Ham United’s encounter with Crystal Palace but it was not enough as the Hammers lost the London derby.

Benrahma’s goal was his 11th Premier League goal for the club but the first from outside the box since 2020-21, his first season at West Ham.

The former Brentford man certainly has the ability to score from distance and will back himself to keep hitting the back of the net from low-percentage shots after Sunday’s effort.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Chelsea

After his much criticised video where he taunted his former Arsenal coach and team mates ahead of the London derby, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could not create any impact in the match, ending up on the losing side with just one shot on goal.

Much was made about Aubameyang facing off with old friends in Arsenal’s trip to Chelsea on Sunday, but the Gabonese barely got involved throughout the game before his withdrawal just after the hour.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could not match his boasts with action on the pitch (Photo Credit: CFC)

Aubameyang has now failed to hit the target with any of his shots in his last three starts, away at Aston Villa and in home games versus Manchester United and Arsenal, with his attempts on target coming in games in which he has been introduced off the bench against Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion.