Many leagues abroad are on a sabbatical owing to the festive period but we still managed to compile performances of the few African players whose teams were in full swing over the weekend.
England
Wanyama had a 90 minute playing time in Tottenham’s battering of Southampton last week Wednesday. It was also a similar case for the Kenyan featuring from start to finish in Spurs thumping of Ighalo’s Watford.
Africa-bound Gana Gueye and Mbokani starred in Hull and Everton’s two-all draw. Victor Anichebe, Ndong and Pienaar had it rough at the Turf Moore after Burnely savaged relegation-threatened Sunderland.
Slimani was the goal-getter and point-earner in Leicester City’s 1-0 win over Kouyate’s West Ham United. Ahmed Musa got rested without minutes while Feghouli came on 25 minutes from time for the Hammers. Eric Baily was as solid as rock as United scrapped past Boro.
Nyom was on the winning side at the St Mary’s Stadium as Westbromwich Albion eased 2-1 over the Saints.
It was added mystery for Modou Barrow’s Swansea City club with Nation’s Cup debutant -hopeful Dr Congo’s Afobe scoring in Bournemouth’s 3-0 victory.
Sadio Mane got subbed in the final minutes of Liverpool’s narrow triumph over Yaya Toure’s City.
Nigeria’s Iwobi started off 2017 in brilliant fashion scoring his first goal of the year in the Gunners’ 2-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace at the Emirates.
A step below the EPL, DR Congo’s Maghoma netted his third goal for Birmingham City in the tie with Barnsley.
Guinea’s Idris Sylla also fired the opener in QPRs’ win over Wolver Hampton Wanderers in the same division.
Leagues in Turkey, Spain, France, Italy, Belgium and The Netherlands were on break due to the festive period but not in Scotland where Cameroon’s Sutchuin Djoum got involved with little success in Hearts 1-0 lost to third-placed Aberdeen.
Kolo Toure was a spectator in leaders Celtic’s whacking of Rangers in the Old Firm derby.
At the Dens Park, Morocco’s Bakhtouai grabbed the opening goal in what would later become a 3-0 victory for Dundee past St Johnstone.
Doumbouya watched his side suffer a narrow 3-2 humbling to Ross County at the Global Energy Stadium.
Soulaymane Coulibaly of Ivory Coast and Kilmarock remains the top-scoring African in the Scottish Premiership on eight goals in 21 matches.
Elsewhere, Algeria striker Soudani poked in his tenth of the campaign as Dinamo Zagreb sailed past Hadjuk Split in a clash of renewed rivalry.
The 29-year-old is also the highest goal poacher in the Croatian premier league.
Israel
Tchibota of Congo featured before getting hauled off eight minutes from time in Saba’s defeat to Hapoel Haifa.
Zambia’s triumvirate of Mbola, Kola and Luchanga were on the losing side in Hapeol Ra’ana’s shock defeat to Kiryat.
Nigeria’s Nwakaeme is the league’s highest scorer, netting eight times in fourteen domestic matches.
Saudi Arabia
31-year-old Ismail Bangoura of Guinea shoved in his eighth goal but his effort counted for nothing following Al Wahda’s brilliant come-from-behind to seal a 3-2 win in the last minutes.
Egypt’s Mohammed Abdul Shafy formed the core in defence as second-placed Al Ahli trounced Al Fateh 2-0.
Featured Photo: Soulaymane Coulibaly of Ivory Coast
