African footballers prepare to join their national teams for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers, several players delivered standout performances for their clubs over the weekend. Here are five African stars who made headlines.
Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Nigeria)
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen was in unstoppable form, netting a hat-trick for Galatasaray in their latest league fixture.
The forward, currently on loan from Napoli, has now tallied 26 goals and five assists across all competitions this season.
He also leads the league’s scoring charts with 20 goals, just two ahead of his closest rival, Krzysztof Piątek.
Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis, DR Congo)
Congolese forward Cédric Bakambu played a crucial role in Real Betis’ dramatic comeback against Leganés.
Introduced in the 62nd minute with his side trailing 2-0, Bakambu won a penalty that was converted by Isco before scoring the equalizer himself.
Betis went on to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory, with Bakambu’s impact proving decisive.
Amine Gouiri (Marseille, Algeria)
Despite Olympique de Marseille’s 3-1 defeat to league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, Amine Gouiri continued his impressive run of form.
The Algerian forward, who has been a key addition to Marseille’s squad, now boasts four goals and three assists in just seven appearances for the club.
Hamza Igamane (Rangers, Morocco)
Hamza Igamane made a stunning impact off the bench for Rangers in the fiercely contested Scottish derby against Celtic.
Introduced in the 83rd minute, the Moroccan forward scored a spectacular 89th-minute winner, securing a crucial victory for his team.
His performance comes at a perfect time as he prepares for his first call-up to the Atlas Lions.
With the World Cup qualifiers approaching, these players have carried their club form onto the international stage, providing a timely boost for their respective national teams.
