Club football is back and African players have wasted no time announcing their presence with commanding performances across Europe. From Turkish league heroics to Premier League dramatics and Spanish dominance, here are the standout performers from this weekend.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria) – Galatasaray 3-2 Göztepe
The Nigerian striker continued his remarkable scoring streak with a goal and an assist as Galatasaray fought back from a deficit at RAMS Park. Göztepe stunned the hosts by taking an early lead through Novatus Miroshi, but after Davinson Sánchez equalized, the Nigerian orchestrated the comeback with a backheel assist for Gabriel Sara in the 55th minute. Osimhen then stepped up to convert from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, extending Galatasaray’s lead. Though Göztepe pulled one back late, Galatasaray held on to secure the win. Osimhen’s performance demonstrated his crucial importance, with five goals and two assists in just three league games this season.
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) – Manchester United 5-2 Ipswich Town
The Cameroonian winger produced a sublime finish to cap Manchester United’s dramatic comeback at Old Trafford. After falling behind early, United unleashed a devastating second-half assault. In the 82nd minute, Mbeumo received a lofted pass into the penalty area from Bruno Fernandes and showed extraordinary composure. As the goalkeeper rushed off his line, he cushioned a deft chip that floated gracefully before dipping beneath the crossbar.
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea) – Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Hamburger SV
Guirassy opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a driven, low finish that set Dortmund on their way to victory on a wet evening at Signal Iduna Park. His powerful strike, assisted by Konstantinos Karetsas, left HSV with no way back. The goal demonstrated the clinical edge that makes Guirassy one of Europe’s most feared strikers, and set Dortmund on their way to a 2-0 win.
Yoane Wissa (DR Congo) – Newcastle United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Wissa provided a moment of acrobatic brilliance to seal Newcastle’s victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After Anthony Elanga had put Newcastle ahead in the 60th minute, the DR Congo striker delivered the decisive blow in the 72nd minute. When Nick Woltemade headed a corner into the six-yard box, Wissa, with his back to goal, produced an overhead kick of pure instinct that arced over his head and into the net. It was only his second Premier League goal since his £55 million arrival, but exactly the type of match-winning moment that suggests he might be getting back to his best..
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria) – Atlético Madrid 3-1 Sevilla
Lookman apened his account for the season with a composed finish that sparked Atlético Madrid’s devastating first-half assault on Sevilla. After struggling when deployed as a center-forward in his opening matches, Diego Simeone returned him to his preferred left-wing position. The tactical adjustment paid immediate dividends. In the 26th minute, Lookman found space inside the penalty area after receiving a perfectly-timed pass from Pablo Barrios. The Nigerian showed composure, guiding the ball into the bottom-left corner with a low, precise finish. The goal doubled Atlético’s lead and provided the platform for their dominant performance.
That’s it for this week. See you next week!