Sports

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

Published

2 years ago

October 17, 2022

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)

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)

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)

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)

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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Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

20 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

2 days 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.”