African players played decisive roles across Europe’s major leagues this weekend, with goals, assists and match-winning contributions helping their clubs secure important results.
Here are five standout performances from the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Premier League and La Liga.
Francis Onyeka – Elversberg
Francis Onyeka scored his first Bundesliga goal as Elversberg defeated Mainz 4-1 on matchday eight.
The midfielder, operating as a number 10, opened the scoring in the 26th minute after being released on the counter-attack by David Mokwa. The German-Nigerian held off Paul Nebel before beating Robin Zentner with a low left-footed finish.
It was his only attempt of the match, but Onyeka was named player of the match before being substituted in the 77th minute. The goal was also his first in the league this season.
Elversberg have 13 points and are seventh in the Bundesliga table.
Gessime Yassine – Strasbourg
Gessime Yassine was directly involved in four of Strasbourg’s five goals during their 5-1 Ligue 1 victory over Auxerre on Sunday.
The Morocco international set up Martial Godo for Strasbourg’s second goal in the 55th minute, before winning the penalty converted by Conrad Harder seven minutes later.
Yassine then added two goals of his own. He finished with his left foot after being found by Sebastian Nanasi in the 77th minute, before heading in Diego Oso’s cross eight minutes later.
Named man of the match, Yassine now has four league goals and four assists this season. The victory ended a run of four successive defeats for Strasbourg, who moved out of the relegation zone and into 12th place with 10 points.
Jeremie Boga – Juventus
Jeremie Boga came off the bench to complete Juventus’ 2-0 win against Napoli in Serie A on Sunday.
The Ivory Coast international replaced Kerim Alajbegovic in the 72nd minute and sealed the result in the 87th. After receiving the ball from Andrea Cambiaso, Boga curled a right-footed shot into the far corner.
His goal came 17 minutes after Alajbegovic had opened the scoring, with Napoli reduced to 10 men following Marianucci’s dismissal.
It was Boga’s first league goal of the season and made him the second African player to score for Juventus against Napoli in Serie A, after Mario Lemina in 2015. Juventus are seventh with 17 points.
Taiwo Awoniyi – Coventry
Taiwo Awoniyi opened his Premier League account as Coventry beat Sunderland 3-1 on Saturday.
Starting as Coventry’s central striker, the Nigeria international took advantage of an error by Luke O’Nien in the 37th minute and placed his shot into the bottom corner beyond Robin Roefs.
His goal doubled Coventry’s lead after Tatsuhiro Sakamoto had scored in the 17th minute. Awoniyi was substituted in the 72nd minute and now has one league goal and two in all competitions.
Coventry rose from six points to nine and moved out of the relegation zone into 16th place.
Umar Sadiq – Valencia
Umar Sadiq scored the only goal at Elche on his return after two months out with a hamstring injury.
The Nigeria international came on in the 60th minute during Valencia’s La Liga match and struck nine minutes later. Played through by Arnaut Danjuma on a counter-attack, Sadiq rounded a defender and the goalkeeper before finishing with his left foot.
He now has two league goals this season. The victory was Valencia’s first under Javier Aguirre and their first in five league matches.
Valencia moved from six points to nine but remain in the relegation zone, one point behind 17th place.
