This season has been tremendous for many of our continent’s stars abroad. Ducor Sports takes a dive into the performances of top-five Africans to hit double digits for their clubs in Europe.
MOHAMED SALAH –It is the general belief of many results would have ticked differently had Salah stayed longer than the thirty (30) minutes he had in the Champions League final against eventual winners Real Madrid.
Such was how bad Sergio Ramos’ tackle on Salah was that the Egyptian had to be hauled off as tears rolled down his cheeks amid fears over his World Cup ambition. It won’t be fun when the 25-year-old look back at last Sunday’s incident. For Real Madrid supporters, their skipper did the right thing –wreck Klopp’s game plan by eliminating the African by all means possible.
Impeccable, as a try at describing the former AS Roman man’s debut season in the EPL, to the faithful at Anfield, will still be an understatement. One thing for sure, he was voted the league’s best and rightly so –capping it all by adding the golden boot to his trophy cabinet. Four years ago, the little man was fighting for minutes in the 2014/15 campaign at the Stamdford Bridge. Soon Jose Mourinho oversaw his temporary departure to Roma in a move that marked beginning of an end to his struggles at club football. Then he showed glimpses of the talent he’s today at Fiorentina, keeping it up at Roma before Liverpool came calling with a hard-to-turn-down €42m offer. That about sorted it, and by June 2017, Mohamed was signed, sealed and delivered at the Anfield ground forming a triumvirate partnership with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
A total 32 goals in 36 cameos is a tall order feat to match.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG: The last of a marquee signing purchased by Arsene Wenger, the Gabon national team skipper is one of few positives in an otherwise unimpressive term for the Gunners.
Signed for a whopping sum quoted to be in the region of €63.8m, Auba’s presence was always going to bolster a misfiring Gunners’ line of attack. The 28-year-old plundered in a combined twenty-three (23) goals for Arsenal and Dortmund last season with ten of those for Arsenal; scoring a brace on two occasions first against Stoke City and the second coming in the 5-0 thumping of Burnley.
A sixth-place finish in the Premier League is not what Pierre-Emerick had envisaged when forcing his way out of Dortmund. The Bundesliga outfit and their fans are probably now giggling at the Gabonese’s decision to dump them, where he would have been guaranteed Champions League football next season. As matters are, the goal-getter is left with no option but contend with settling for second fiddle football in the Europa League. The coming season though promises more.
VINCENT ABOUBAKAR– Not a stranger in the football scenes in Africa. The Cameroon-born has banged in 24 goals, 15 emanating from the league as he helped spur Porto to the Portuguese title.
A move to the English Premier League to match his reputation would be ideal. Swansea top-listed him as priority transfer target but that would interest the Indomitable Lions’ forward little giving the Wales outfit have dropped levels, getting demoted to the championship. Another try out at the Turkish riches is reported to be no longer a matter of if rather when, with a return to parent club Besiktas strongly touted at end of his Porto loan spell.
An African champion, prising away the Youande-born from his current employers will mean his suitors coughing up €10m. Teammate and Mali’s Moussa Marega is another ace to hit double digits, scoring 22 times for Porto.
ROGER ASSALE– Turning his loan deal from DR Congo’s giants TP Mazembe to a permanent one with Young Boys of Switzerland, Assale is a sought-after property in the transfer market.
The buzz around him comes in the wake of a burgeoning goal streak he had pulled off in a run that won Young Boys the Swiss Super League gong. A bidding war is already expected next month for the Ivorian when the transfer window reopens. He has a contract running until 2020 however it will be no surprise should he hand in a transfer request.
Among his legion of admirers are Marseille, Southampton and Leicester City.
Of all the speculations hovering over him, Young Boys’ board would fancy upping their price tag but that should give EPL clubs no qualms whatsoever.
ALI SOWE – This athletic striker went from an injury-ravaged man to one of the newest sensations of the continent.
A revelation for Skenderbecu Korce, the Gambian has scored 21 league goals, a career high compared to the return of six nettings he managed while on loan at third their Italia side Vibonese. The ex-Gambia U-19 captain did not only propel Skenderbeu to the Albanian title but also went on to win the Super League’s golden boot.
He’s expected to return to Serie A side Chievo Verno –his parent team – now that his deal is over but that may not well happen on account Turkish side Trabzonspor are ready to sign him at all cost.
Speaking to Ducor Sports last week, the 23-year-old said he’s in no hurry to talk about where he plays next.
