AFRICANS ABROAD: Osimhen scores again, Onyeka gets rare goal

There were some familiar names on the scoresheet among Africans playing in Europe’s elite leagues this weekend, but also one player in particular who broke a long run without finding the back of the net.

We highlight the best performers from the past few days.

FRANK ONYEKA (NIGERIA & BRENTFORD)

Onyeka sealed a first league win in nine games for Brentford with a 93rd-minute goal as they defeated bottom side Sheffield United 2-0. The Nigerian midfielder came off the bench and was played on goal, before coolly slotting the ball low into the back of the net. It is the first goal in the Premier League for the 26-year-old, and his first club goal of any sort since he netted for Midtjylland and Nordsjælland in the Danish league in May 2021. He has mostly been a bench option for Brentford this season, but is an important member of their first team.

VICTOR OSIMHEN (NIGERIA & NAPOLI)

Napoli’s frustrating season in the defence of their Serie A title continues as they twice led at home to relegation-threatened Frosinone, but had to settle for a 2-2 draw. The visitors also missed a penalty. Osimhen made it goals in back-to-back games though as he took his tally in Serie A to 13, half the number he managed in the last campaign. It was a real poacher’s finish as he beat the offside trap and stabbed the ball home from close range, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

WALID CHEDDIRA (MOROCCO & FROSINONE)

Morocco’s Cheddira played a major role in Frosinone’s hard-earned point with a brace of goals as sit in the relegation zone, but only on goal difference behind Verona. He now has six goals this campaign, which have all come in the last seven games and has been a major reason why the club is still in with a big chance of avoiding the drop. The Italian-born forward profited from a terrible mix-up at the back as Napoli tried to play out from the back, but succeeded only in laying a chance on a plate for him. His second was a good looping header that flew into the back of the net on 73 minutes.

ZITO LUVUMBO (ANGOLA & CAGLIARI)

Cagliari also took a step closer to safety as they twice came from behind to hold runaway leaders Inter Milan to a 2-2 draw at the San Siro. It is an excellent point in one of the toughest places to go play this season. Angola international Luvumbo had a hand in the first goal for his side when he provided the assist for Eldor Shomurodov to score. It was his neat little lay-off to the Uzbeki player that allowed the latter to thump home the first equaliser from the edge of the box. That is now four goals and five assists for the 22-year-old Palancas Negras player this campaign.

YOUSSEF EN-NESYRI (MOROCCO & SEVILLA)

Sevilla have surely secured their safety this season as they moved nine points clear of the bottom three with a 2-0 win at Las Palmas, their opening goal scored by the Moroccan En-Nesyri. He fired home an 11th LaLiga goal for the campaign to get Sevilla on the board, scoring a typical En-Nesyri goal. A cross was swung in from the left and his header was far too accurate and powerful for the Las Palmas goalkeeper.