African Players Shine Across Europe – Weekend Recap
African internationals lit up the European leagues this weekend, delivering goals, assists, and match-winning performances. Here’s your comprehensive roundup:
🇫🇷 France – Ligue 1 (Matchday 12)
⭐ Modibo Maïga – The Star of the Weekend
Club: FC Metz
Performance: ⚽⚽ (10′, 51′)
Result: Metz 3–2 Caen
Highlight: Maïga netted his first two goals for Metz, silencing critics with a brilliant brace. His clinical finish at the far post and a composed toe-poke past Vercoutre earned him man-of-the-match honors — and possibly a recall to Mali’s national team for AFCON qualifiers.
🇳🇬 Elderson Echiejile (Monaco)
Goal: Scored the opener vs Reims (20’)
Contribution: Proved he’s more than just Kurzawa’s backup.
🇨🇲 Benjamin Moukandjo (Reims)
Goal: Equalizer in the 80th minute vs Monaco.
🇬🇳 Bengali-Fodé Koïta (Caen)
Goal: Netted Caen’s second in a narrow loss to Metz.
🇲🇱 Sambou Yatabaré (Guingamp)
Goal: Match-winner vs Bastia (32’)
Impact: Helped Guingamp bounce back after their 7-2 thrashing the previous week.
🇨🇮 Max-Alain Gradel (Saint-Étienne)
Goal: Header to equalize against Lille (60′).
🇨🇲 Nicolas Nkoulou (Marseille)
Goal: Diving header to open the scoring vs Lens (10’)
Result: Marseille won 2-1 to stay top of Ligue 1.
🇩🇪 Germany – Bundesliga (Matchday 10)
🇨🇮 Salomon Kalou (Hertha Berlin)
Goal: Opened scoring against Paderborn (41′)
Result: Hertha lost 3-1 despite Kalou’s efforts.
🏴 England – Premier League (Matchday 10)
🇸🇳 Mame Biram Diouf & 🇳🇬 Victor Moses (Stoke City)
Contribution: Both impressed in a 2-2 draw with West Ham, combining strength, pace, and energy.
🇰🇪 Victor Wanyama (Southampton)
Goal: Scored a 3rd-minute winner vs Hull City.
Impact: Anchored midfield and continued his excellent form for the Saints.
🏆 Top Performer of the Weekend
🎖️ Modibo Maïga – A timely double that could resurrect his international career.
Stay tuned for more updates as Africa’s stars continue to shine across Europe’s top leagues!
