DStv Channel 403 Saturday, 14 December 2024

African players in Europe: Salah muted despite derby double

LONDON - There were muted celebrations from Mohamed Salah after his two goals gave Liverpool a 2-0 Merseyside derby victory over Everton in the Premier League at the weekend.

Last week, the Egypt captain and two-time African Footballer of the Year called for an end to "massacres" in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Senegalese teenager Lamine Camara struck a wonder goal in France while Guinea international Serhou Guirassy continued an amazing scoring run in Germany.

Here, AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in major European leagues:

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

Salah netted twice in the final 15 minutes as Liverpool maintained their long-time dominance over city rivals Everton. He smashed home a penalty before securing the victory with a simple finish deep into stoppage time.

BRYAN MBEUMO, YOANE WISSA (Brentford)

Wissa and Mbeumo were both on target as Brentford ended their two-month wait for a win by beating Burnley 3-0. Mbeumo created the first goal with a low cross that Democratic Republic of Congo international Wissa tapped in at the back post. The Cameroon forward then curled home a sumptuous strike into the top corner for his first goal in five games.

ITALY

BOULAYE DIA (Salernitana)

Senegal striker Dia ensured that Salernitana wouldn't finish the weekend at the bottom of Serie A with the stoppage-time penalty which secured a 2-2 draw with fellow strugglers Cagliari, who stay last. Dia equalised twice for the hosts in the final minutes of a frantic match, his first goals since August for Salernitana.

GERMANY

SERHOU GUIRASSY (Stuttgart)

Stuttgart striker Guirassy continued his remarkable scoring run, chalking up his 14th of the season in a 3-0 Bundesliga win at Union Berlin. Guirassy headed in the opener after 16 minutes but was taken off inside half an hour, with the club saying the Guinea international would be sidelined for "a few weeks" with a hamstring tear. Democratic Republic of Congo striker Silas put the game beyond doubt with a late second goal. 

OMAR MARMOUSH, ELLYES SKHIRI (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Eintracht had their northern African duo of Marmoush and Skhiri to thank for helping to overturn an early deficit and win 3-1 at Hoffenheim. Egyptian Marmoush collected a long ball and held off several defenders to equalise. After the visitors scored again, Tunisian Skhiri put Frankfurt further ahead before half-time with a near-post shot. 

FRANCE

LAMINE CAMARA (Metz)

A wonder goal by the 19-year-old Senegalese midfielder could not save lowly Metz from a 2-1 loss at Ligue 1 leaders Monaco. Camara spotted Philipp Kohn off his line in the fourth minute and scored with a lofted shot from the centre circle that dropped into the net behind the goalkeeper. "I've seen that the goalkeeper sometimes comes off his line. I told myself that there would inevitably be an opportunity so as soon as it presented itself, I did not hesitate," said Camara.

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