African Goal Scorers in Europe: 3-5 November 2012 – BBC
Courtesy of BBC Sport, here is a round up of all the African performers in Europe’s major soccer leagues last weekend –
Michael Essien scored his first goal for Real Madrid since his loan move from Chelsea. The Ghanaian midfielder returned to his favoured position after covering at left-back in recent times. An increasingly important player for coach Jose Mourinho, the versatile Essien was the main organiser and helped control midfield against Zaragoza, bursting through in the final minutes to score in the 4-0 win.
Senegal international Papakouli Diop’s performances in midfield have contributed to Levante’s recent excellent form. Building on better movement in the past weeks he produced a solid display in front of the defence against Sevilla and helped cut out the threat from the home side’s attack. Levante earned a 0-0 draw.
A squad player for Valencia last season, Algerian Sofiane Feghouli has now emerged as a key member of the team. His movement and pace were a constant threat for Atletico Madrid. Sorely missed while he was out suspended, Feghouli worked hard in midfield as Valencia beat Atletico 2-0 to inflict on them their first defeat of the season.
FRANCE
Ghanaian brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew were both on target as Marseille snapped a three-match winless streak to see off Ajaccio 2-0 as the southerners drew level on points with Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Andre Ayew bagged Marseille’s first league goal since 7 October, nodding Charles Kabore’s looping header beyond Guillermo Ochoa on 55 minutes before Jordan, on for Loic Remy, slotted a late clincher home from Mathieu Valbuena’s cutback.
French-born Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came off the bench to help Saint-Etienne clinch a 2-1 win at leaders Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes. He pressured Mamadou Sakho into putting through his own net and then scored himself on 73 minutes, increasing his league tally to seven goals.
GERMANY
Angolan striker Nando Rafael headed an equaliser for Duesseldorf at Bayer Leverkusen, but his first league goal of the season couldn’t prevent his team’s 3-2 defeat which saw them drop to 15th in the Bundesliga. Earlier the week he scored the winner in a German Cup extra-time win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Senegal’s Mame Diouf stabbed the ball home on 26 minutes, opening the scoring in Hanover’s 2-0 win at home to Augsburg which claimed his second goal of the week. The 24-year-old striker also scored an early goal in the German Cup midweek for a 4-3 win on penalties over Dynamo Dresden following a 1-1 score after extra-time.
ITALY
Kwadwo Asamoah’s good form – as he continued his solid start to the season – could not prevent Juventus’ 3-1 defeat by Inter Milan, who stopped the Old Lady of Turin’s unbeaten streak at 49 games. The Ghanaian’s help, albeit offside, set up Arturo Vidal’s first-minute opener. Juve now lead by just one point on Inter.
Guinean defender Kevin Constant was spot-on in a full game for the Rossoneri after little chance to shine this season. His cross from the left led to AC Milan’s opener from Urby Emanuelson for a 5-1 thrashing of Chievo. Constant should get the shout for Tuesday’s Champions League return match against Malaga.
ENGLAND
Nigeria winger Victor Moses scored his first Premier League goal with the opener in the European champions’ 1-1 draw at Swansea. Moses flicked in Gary Cahill’s header from a corner in the 61st minute, but the home side had their victory hopes dashed when Pablo Hernandez netted a late equaliser.
Senegal striker Demba Ba endured a frustrating afternoon at Anfield and limped off early in the second half of Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, having gone into the match with a shin injury.
Tottenham’s Emmanuel Abebayor was booed onto the field as a second-half substitute when home fans vented after manager Andre Villas-Boas decided to withdraw Jermain Defoe. The Togo forward couldn’t find an equaliser as Wigan won 1-0 at White Hart Lane.
On Monday, 5th November, Osaze Peter Odemwingie put two goals past Southampton to give West Brom a two-nil victory and lift them above Tottenham and Arsenal on the Barclays Premiership League table.
In today’s matches in the UEFA Champions League, we wish our African brothers the very best. It is time for Africa.
