
African football superstars have continued to make headlines in European football with distinctive performances even as the current season in Europe’s major football leagues is approaching the end.
In England, Liverpool pair Mohammad Salah (Egypt) and Saido Mane (Senegal) have taken the Premier League by storm in goal scoring with 22 and 20 goals respectively, and the former is the league’s leading top scorer. The pair has also been instrumental for Liverpool in Champions League having scored 4 goals each to help the Merseyside club reach the semifinals where they are facing Barcelona. Liverpool lost the first leg 3-0 at Nou Camp last week and they will be hoping to overturn that deficit this Tuesday at Anfield.
Gabon and Arsenal forward Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is another Premier League golden boot chaser having netted 20 league goals so far this season for the gunners. Aubameyang was on target last weekend after converting a penalty for arsenal though it was not enough to secure the 3 points for the gunners after a 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hoove Albion at the Emirates.
Other African stars that have had a fine season in the Premier League include Alex Iwobi (Arsenal and Nigeria) Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspurs and Kenya), Jean Michael Seri (Fulham and Ivory Coast), Eric Baily (Manchester United and Ivory Coast), Naby Keita (Liverpool and Mali), among others.
In Spain, Morocco’s En-Neysyri has continued to shine for Leganes having scored in their 3-0 win over Sevilla last weekend to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Getafe and Togolese central defender Djene Dakoman has also had a wonderful season, helping his club to hold on to the fourth position hoping to qualify for champions league football next season. His excellent performance has attracted a number of European elite clubs including Arsenal in England who want to secure his services next season.
In Italy, Ivory Coast international Jeremie Boga helped Sassuolo to avoid defeat against Frosinone by scoring the equalizer in the 78th minute while Senegalese forward Keita Balde Diao has continued to impress for Inter Milan who are seeking to Qualify for Champions League next season for a third consecutive season.
Senegal center back Kalidou Koulibaly has also continued to impress for Napoli having helped them secure the second position id Serie A this season and reach quarter finals in Europa League. Koulibaly has emerged as a target of a number European clubs due to his impressive performances this season.
In Germany, Ivorian forward Solomon Kalou scored for Hertha Berlin in their 3-1 win over Stuttgart to end their seven-game winless run in the Bundesliga.
Algerian forward Ishak Belfodil has continued with his fine season with Hoffenheim though he missed some golden chance to hand them a win over Borussia Moenchgladbach last weekend.
DR Congo and Wolfsburg center back Marcel Tisserand scored to help his club overcome Nuremberg with a 2-0 victory. Tisserand’s goal was crucial in helping Wolfsburg overtaking Hoffenheim into a Europa League qualification position.
In France, Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pepe has had a very excellent season with Lille having bagged 20 goals in League One so far that have helped Lille secure the second position which guarantees them Champions League football next season. Pepe’s fine form throughout the season has seen him being linked to a lot of top European clubs including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich who want to sign him in the summer.
With the Africa Cup of Nations about to kickoff this June in Egypt, African nations with inform stars in Europe will be hoping that they carry their good performances into the tournament for continental glory.