Mali international Moussa Marega asked to be replaced after scoring Porto’s winning goal (1-2) due to racist chants. In an interview after the game, the 28-year-old said “right from start of the game they were after me. I mean the supporters. I couldn’t just continue.”
It was another bright weekend for African professionals in Europe in terms of goals, assists and defensive input but doused by racist incidents.
In the Premier League, Arsenal returned to winning ways on Sunday since their last victory of January 1. Two Africans contributed immensely to the Gunners’ 4-0 success against Newcastle United.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed the opener while Nicholas Pepe scored once and delivered two assists.
On Saturday, Senegal star Sadio Mané, who was on an injury return, saved visiting Liverpool in a complicated match against Norwich City by scoring the lone goal.
In France, Monaco survived at home against an indefatigable Montpellier thanks to Algerian Islam Slimani’s lone strike in second half.
Nimes also had a difficult outing against Angers until Moussa Kone from Senegal broke the deadlock late in the game to seal the victory for the home side, Nimes.
Two Africans decided the outcome of Lyon 1-1 Strasbourg on Sunday. Burkina Faso international Bertrand Traore, who opened the scoring for Lyon and Ivory Coast youth international, Lucien Kevin Zohi, who equalised later on.
Mali’s El Bilal Toure handed Reims a 1-0 home win over Rennes, who were favoured to win the clash.
In Italy, Ivory Coast star Gervinho helped Parma to a 1-0 win in away fixture over Sassuolo.
In Spain, the game between Valencia and Atletico Madrid ended in a 2-2 draw after Geoffrey Kondogbia of Central African Republic and Thomas Partey of Ghana scored each side’s final goal.
In the Netherlands, Ajax crushed RKC Waalwijk 3-0, with Burkina Faso’s Lassina Franck Traore, who was recently promoted from Ajax junior outfit, scoring one of the goals.
