African players had a fruitful weekend across Europe, snatching crucial goals and providing assists for their respective sides as we enter the final lap of the season.
In England, leaders Liverpool gave fans a scare and rekindled the trauma from Watford shock defeat after conceding at home an early nine-minute goal from their weekend opposition Bournemouth. However, Mohamed Salah pulled level by the 25th minute to calm fears, with African footballer of the year Sadio Mane eventually sealing the winner at 2-1.
In Germany, Borussia Dortmund snatched a precious away win to be on the heels of Bayern Munich thanks to Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, who scored his side’s second goal against Borussia Monchengladbach (2-1).
In France, two Moroccans, Hamza Mendyl and Nayef Aguerd, were on target each for Dijon, who saw off the challenge of visiting Toulouse 2-1, while Gabonese Denis Bouanga and Nigerian Josh Maja cancelled each other out for their respective sides, Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux 1-1.
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Also in France, Senegal international Opa Nguette and Ghana defender John Boye handed Metz a 2-1 home win over Nimes on Sunday, as El Bilal Toure from Mali spared Reims blushes with his lone strike against Brest, 1-0.
In Belgium, Senegal’s youngster Krepin Diatta delivered Club Brugge’s winning goal against Cercle Brugge while his countryman Mamadou Fall contributed one goal in his side Sporting Charleroi’s 4-1 bashing of Gent, who pulled one back through Ivorian Anderson Niangbo.
Still in Belgium, Cameroonian Frank Boya was on target for Royal Excel Mouscron over Waasland-Beveren 1-0.
In Portugal, DR Congo international Chancel Mbemba helped FC Porto to avoid embarrassment at home, eventually sharing the spoils with Rio Ave at 1-1.
