African players in Europe: Wissa 22-second goal in vain / Photo: © AFP
African players in Europe: Wissa 22-second goal in vain
Yoane Wissa scored after just 22 seconds for Brentford in the Premier League at the weekend, but his goal was in vain as defending champions Manchester City recovered to win 2-1 at home.
The 28-year-old winger had returned to England after helping the Democratic Republic of Congo secure 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victories over Guinea and Ethiopia.
Here, AFP Sport highlights some of the Africans who starred in the major European leagues.
ENGLAND
YOANE WISSA (Brentford)
Wissa maintained his hot streak, scoring for the third time this season, netting at the Etihad Stadium with a header after City defender John Stones got into a muddle with goalkeeper Ederson. City hit back to win thanks to an Erling Haaland double.
MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)
The Egypt captain failed to score for the first time in the Premier League this season as the Reds crashed to a shock 1-0 home defeat against Nottingham Forest. Salah had scored once in each of Arne Slot's first three games in charge of Liverpool.
MARIO LEMINA (Wolves)
The Gabon midfielder swept Wolves into a first-half lead at the end of a counter-attack. However, Newcastle United's greater quality proved decisive after the break and a couple of late goals condemned the home side to a 2-1 loss.
SPAIN
ABDE EZZALZOULI (Real Betis)
The former Barcelona winger got off the mark for the season in La Liga with a smart near-post finish to send Betis ahead in their 2-0 win over Leganes. The Morocco international had netted twice for the Andalusian side against Ukrainian club Kryvbas in Europa Conference League qualification.
INAKI WILLIAMS (Athletic Bilbao)
Ghana international Williams played an impressive supporting role as Athletic edged to a 3-2 win at Las Palmas, conjuring a hat-trick of assists. The veteran forward put a ball in from the right for Oihan Sancet's opener before teeing up his brother Nico for Athletic's second. Inaki set up the Basques' third with a clever slide to knock the ball back for Aitor Paredes to convert.
GERMANY
VICTOR BONIFACE (Bayer Leverkusen)
Boniface scored in each half as Leverkusen won 4-1 at Hoffenheim. He showed his physicality for both goals, holding off some desperate defending before blasting home. "He's really loved by all his teammates. He creates a great atmosphere," coach Xabi Alonso said of the Nigerian.
SERHOU GUIRASSY (Borussia Dortmund)
Guirassy may not have scored in his Dortmund debut, but the Guinea international played a key role in a 4-2 home win over Heidenheim. The striker, whose first appearance was delayed by a knee injury, twice sucked in multiple defenders only to step over the ball, leaving his teammates with space to score.
OMAR MARMOUSH (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Eintracht winger Marmoush scored a brace in a 2-1 win over Wolfsburg, sinking the dagger into his old side. The ball was chipped to the Egyptian in a counter-attack and he opened the scoring to a chorus of boos from supporters of his former club. With eight minutes remaining and the match locked at 1-1, Marmoush stepped up to the spot and converted a penalty.
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C.Stevenson--TNT
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