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15 Nov

AFCON Absences and European Impact: African Players in the Spotlight

African players continue to leave their mark in top European leagues, showcasing their extraordinary talents on the biggest stages of world football.

This week, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, the iconic Liverpool forward, grabbed headlines as he both assisted and scored in a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, a performance that demonstrated his world-class abilities. Although Salah has been excused from the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to Egypt’s pre-qualification, his influence remains unmissable for his club and country.

With Egypt set to face Cape Verde and Botswana, the team will look to Omar Marmoush, another Egyptian in excellent form, who has shown prowess in the Bundesliga with 11 goals this season. As Salah continues to push Liverpool’s title hopes, Marmoush steps into the spotlight as Egypt’s go-to striker, showing the depth of talent that Egypt and the African continent bring to international football.

England

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Salah’s electric display against Aston Villa brought his Premier League season tally to 10 goals and 10 assists, further solidifying his place as one of Liverpool’s key players. His assist set up Darwin Nunez for the opening goal, and he sealed the game himself, breaking clear to score. Salah’s eighth league goal brings him within striking distance in the Golden Boot race, chasing Erling Haaland’s 12-goal lead.Yoane Wissa (Brentford) Wissa, playing for Brentford, delivered a sensational performance with two goals in a 3-2 win over Bournemouth.

His goal-scoring rate is exceptional, averaging one goal every 81 minutes this season. His seven goals in eight league appearances have made him a pivotal force for Brentford, helping the team secure crucial victories.

Amad Diallo (Manchester United)

After a standout Europa League showing, Diallo earned his Premier League start with Manchester United, where his backheel assist set up Bruno Fernandes for the team’s opening goal in a 3-0 win against Leicester. The Ivorian forward is making strides under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, marking himself as a player to watch.

Italy

Hassane Kamara (Udinese)

In the Serie A, Kamara’s thunderous strike gave Udinese an initial lead against Atalanta. Though they ultimately lost 2-1, Kamara’s performance underscored his ability to make decisive impacts on the field, and he remains a key figure in Udinese’s midfield, showing the resilience of African players in Italy’s top league.

Germany

Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Marmoush’s impressive form continued as he netted his 11th Bundesliga goal this season with a superb free-kick, placing him level with Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane at the top of the scoring charts. Alongside his goal-scoring, his assist for Hugo Ekitike demonstrated his versatility and ability to contribute to his team’s success.

Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)

The Guinea international provided a penalty for Dortmund, though his efforts fell short in a 3-1 loss to Mainz. Despite the team’s struggles, Guirassy’s individual performances continue to shine, with nine goals and four assists this season, showing his resilience in the face of Dortmund’s challenging campaign.

As the AFCON qualifiers approach, Africa’s brightest talents remain key players in Europe’s most competitive leagues, contributing goals, assists, and match-winning performances. With Salah and Marmoush representing Egypt in different capacities, and players like Wissa, Kamara, and Guirassy making waves, it’s clear that African players abroad continue to be indispensable assets for their clubs.

While we’ll miss watching Salah in Egypt’s upcoming matches, the opportunity for stars like Marmoush to lead on the international stage presents an exciting moment for Egyptian fans.

With kickoffs set and talent at the ready, we’re cheering for these African standouts to keep lighting up the field, both at home and abroad.

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