African stars make their mark across Europe in standout weekend performances

Nicolas Jackson scored twice to end Manchester City’s perfect Premier League start, while 17-year-old Wael Mohya helped Borussia Monchengladbach claim their first Bundesliga win of the season. Elye Wahi, Yassir Zabiri and Rafik Belghali also played decisive roles across Europe’s five major leagues.

Nicolas Jackson leads Aston Villa past Manchester City

Jackson scored both goals as Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday in the eighth round of Premier League fixtures.

The Senegal international opened the scoring in the sixth minute after being played in by John McGinn. After Erling Haaland brought City level, Jackson restored Villa’s advantage shortly after the hour with a shot which wrong-footed Gianluigi Donnarumma.

City suffered their first league defeat of the campaign after winning their opening seven matches. Jackson was named player of the match and now has four Premier League goals. Aston Villa moved up to ninth place with 11 points.

Mohya inspires Gladbach comeback

Mohya, aged 17, was central to Monchengladbach’s 3-2 victory at Stuttgart on Friday in the seventh round of the Bundesliga.

Stuttgart took the lead in the fifth minute, but Monchengladbach levelled before moving ahead when the Moroccan-born attacking midfielder supplied Shuto Machino in the 51st minute.

Mohya then headed in his side’s third goal in the 66th minute from Joe Scally’s cross. He finished the match after 70 minutes, having attempted four shots and created two further shooting opportunities.

The teenager now has two league goals. The result gave Gladbach their first points of the season after six consecutive defeats.

Wahi contributes twice for Nice

Elye Wahi scored and provided an assist as Nice won 2-1 at Brest on Friday during the eighth round of Ligue 1 matches.

Brest had gone ahead in the 15th minute, but Wahi equalised for Nice in the 61st minute by converting Mohamed Amoura’s corner at the far post with his right foot.

The Cote d’Ivoire international then broke into the penalty area in the 83rd minute and set up Sofiane Diop for the winning goal. Wahi received the highest rating of the match and has scored three times in Ligue 1 this season. Nice are 10th.

Zabiri seals another Racing win

Yassir Zabiri again proved decisive for Racing Santander, scoring the winner in their 2-1 victory over Espanyol on Saturday in the 10th round of Liga fixtures.

Racing had fallen behind in the 62nd minute before Jeanuel Belocian equalised seven minutes later. Zabiri completed the comeback in the 84th minute, six minutes before the end of normal time.

The Morocco forward has now scored eight league goals after 10 rounds. Racing have 11 points and sit 13th, while Espanyol remain in the relegation zone.

Belghali scores first Torino goal

Rafik Belghali put Torino back in front during their 3-2 win over Monza on Friday in the eighth round of Serie A.

After Kian Fitz-Jim’s 39th-minute goal and Gustavo Varela’s equaliser two minutes after half-time, the Algeria international collected a pass from Gineitis in the 61st minute. He moved inside before curling a right-footed shot into the net from outside the penalty area.

Belghali also crossed for Nikola Vlasic to score in the 72nd minute. It was his first goal for Torino and his first in Serie A this season. Torino have 13 points and are eighth.