Nigerian Semi Ajayi and Senegalese Nobel Mendy temporarily vacated defensive roles to score as promoted Hull City stunned Manchester United 2-0 in the Premier League opening round at the weekend.
AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues:
ENGLAND
SEMI AJAYI (Hull City)
He scored Hull’s first Premier League goal in nine years when he was quickest to react from close range in the 17th minute after Oli McBurnie’s shot following a poorly defended corner was parried by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
NOBEL MENDY (Hull)
Regan Slater’s pin-point free-kick proved too much for the visitors to handle and Mendy’s header flew past a helpless Lammens to spark yet more wild celebrations among the home fans at the MKM Stadium.
SPAIN
CHIDERA EJUKE (Sevilla)
The Nigerian came off the bench for the second half and took just five minutes to increase a 1-0 half-time lead for Sevilla at Athletic Bilbao. Ejuke raced through and lobbed the ball over 2026 World Cup-winning Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon. Sevilla finished 3-1 winners.
ITALY
HASSANE KAMARA (Udinese)
The France-born Ivory Coast international outsprinted the Como defence and used his left foot to chip the ball over goalkeeper Jean Butez and put Udinese ahead. Como equalised early in the second half of the Serie A clash to force a 1-1 draw.
FRANCE
AMINE GOUIRI (Marseille)
Algeria striker Gouiri struck twice in the second half as Marseille hammered visiting Strasbourg 4-0 in the opening round of Ligue 1. He netted from close range on 46 minutes, then converted a penalty midway through the second half.
DAME GUEYE, LOUIS MAFOUTA (Le Mans)
Both goals for promoted Le Mans came from African strikers in a 2-2 home draw against Brest. Senegalese Gueye levelled in first half added time and Central African Republic international Mafouta put the hosts ahead before Malian Kamory Doumbia restored parity.
AFP
The post African players in Europe: Semi Ajayi, Mendy stun Man United appeared first on Vanguard News.