African Stars Shine Across Europe’s Top Leagues This Weekend
This weekend marked the return of the Bundesliga, the last of Europe’s top five leagues to resume play after the winter break, giving African players fresh opportunities to impress. In Germany, Anthony Ujah continued his impressive form with Werder Bremen, playing a key role in their 3-1 victory over Schalke 04. Ujah’s compatriot, Odion Ighalo, finally broke his scoring drought in England, netting his 15th goal of the season to help Watford secure a 2-1 win against Newcastle.
In the Premier League, Ghanaian forward Andre Ayew starred for Swansea City in their 2-1 victory at Everton. Ayew first won a penalty before opening the scoring with a deflected shot, underlining his growing influence in the team. Elsewhere, a remarkable 4-5 thriller between Norwich and Liverpool saw the Canaries fall despite contributions from African duo Dieumerci Mbokani and Sebastien Bassong, who both found the net.
Italy’s Serie A saw Lazio secure a commanding 4-1 victory over Chievo, with Franco-Senegalese striker Baldé Keita adding to his goal tally. Meanwhile, in Germany, Senegalese defender Papy Djilobodji made a winning debut for Werder Bremen, solidifying their defense, while Nigerian striker Anthony Ujah continued to be decisive in front of goal. Joel Matip, the Cameroonian defender, scored Schalke’s lone goal in the clash against Bremen.
In France, Ligue 1 action brought mixed fortunes for African players. Reims secured a vital 1-1 draw against Saint-Étienne thanks to a goal from Algerian Aïssa Mandi, helping the club move away from the relegation zone. Montpellier, despite a goal from Ramy Bensebaini, fell 2-1 to Caen. Bordeaux staged a remarkable comeback to draw 2-2 at Nantes, with Malian striker Cheikh Diabaté reinforcing his place among the club’s top scorers, netting his 59th goal for the Girondins.
Spanish football also saw African contributions. Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi scored his first goal of the season in Granada’s 3-2 win over Getafe, showcasing his importance to the team. In La Liga’s other notable match, Cameroonian Daniel Ndi found the net for Sporting Gijon in their 5-1 demolition of Real Sociedad, further highlighting African talent’s growing impact in Spain.
Across Europe, African players displayed their ability to influence matches at critical moments. From Odion Ighalo ending his goal drought in England to Anthony Ujah’s decisive performances in Germany, African talent continues to leave its mark in the continent’s most competitive leagues. These performances demonstrate not only individual quality but also the integral roles African players occupy in their respective teams, often turning the tide in closely contested fixtures.
With the season in full swing after the winter break, these players are expected to continue impacting games and climbing scoring charts, offering excitement for fans and maintaining the growing influence of African footballers across Europe’s top competitions.
