While footballing achievements tend to focus more on the exploits of strikers and midfielders, it is easy to forget the work done by defenders and goalkeepers. Even as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made history at Arsenal, Ahmed Hegazi, the tall and imposing Egyptian defender, reached a personal milestone for West Bromwich Albion.
Another fruitful round of matches for African footballers also saw an African help his team conquer the Czech Republic and Portugal was set alight with goals. These are the best bits of action involving African players across Europe.
ENGLAND
Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed a brace and set up another goal in Arsenal’s 4-0 win against Norwich. Following his strikes, Aubameyang became the fastest Arsenal player and sixth-fastest Premier League player in history to score 50 goals.
Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho scored a goal after coming on as a substitute in Leicester City’s 2-1 defeat to Everton.
In the Championship, Egyptian defender Ahmed Hegazi marked his 100th appearance for West Bromwich Albion with a clean sheet in their 3-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday. Meanwhile, Benin striker Steve Mounie set up fellow DR Congo forward Elias Kachunga to seal Huddersfield’s 3-0 win against Birmingham to move three points clear of the relegation zone.
.@Hegazi BOSSED it last night. An incredible performance on his 100th appearance for the Albion. 🙌🇪🇬 pic.twitter.com/9y8AtkGEeQ
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) July 2, 2020
ITALY
Gambian striker Musa Barrow netted his second goal in two games as mid-table Bologna and Cagliari drew 1-1 while Ghanaian midfielder Alfred Duncan set up Patrick Cutrone’s goal in Fiorentina’s 3-1 loss at home to Sassuolo.
Burkinabe midfielder Bryan Dabo set up both of SPAL’s goals in a 2-2 draw against AC Milan as the hosts finished the game with 10 men.
AUSTRIA
Zambia’s Patson Daka did not get on the score sheet but he did set up RB Salzburg’s opening goal in a 5-2 win against 10-man Sturm Graz in which Cameroon defender Jerome Onguene and Malian striker Sekou Koita also scored.
Burkinabe striker Issiaka Ouedraogo grabbed a brace in St. Polten’s 3-0 win away to Admira Wacker while Nigerian Bright Edomwonyi was on target in Austria Vienna’s 2- win against Altach.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Sparta Prague defeated Slovan Liberec 2-1 to win the MOL Cup for a seventh time thanks to a second half penalty converted by Gabon midfielder Guelor Kanga.
PORTUGAL
Democratic Republic of Congo defender Chancel Mbemba scored the only goal of the game as two-time European champions FC Porto extended their lead over Benfica to six points with a 1-0 win against Pacos Ferreira.
Nigeria’s Mikel Agu set up the opening goal and Burkinabe striker Abou Ouattara came off the bench to score a second as Vitoria Guimaraes stayed in contention for a European spot with a 2-0 victory over 9-man Vitoria Setubal.
Angolan forward Dala Gelson was one of three scorers for 5th-placed Rio Ave who edged 4th-placed Sporting Braga 4-3 in a battle for a Europa League qualification place.
SLOVAKIA
Moroccan striker Moha’s brace saw Fortuna Liga leaders Slovan Bratislava defeat Dunajská Streda 3-1 and extend their lead to 16 points.
TURKEY
Guinea’s Bangali-Fode Koita and second-half substitute Dieumerci Ndongala of the DR Congo netted in a 2-0 win for mid-table Kasimpasa against Genclerbirligi.
ACROSS EUROPE
In Denmark, Tunisian Issam Jebali rounded off the scoring as Odense defeated 10-man Lyngby 3-1 in the Danish Superliga while in Greece, Egypt’s Koka netted a double as Super League leaders Olympiacos extended their unbeaten run to 31 games with a 2-1 home win against OFI Crete.
In Norway, Mjondalen bounced back from defeat with a 3-1 win against Aalesund in which Nigerian Shuaibu Ibrahim opened the scoring and in Switzerland, Ivoirian Koro Kone converted a penalty as Servette FC held Young Boys to a 1-1 draw in the Swiss Super League. It was Kone’s first goal since a hat-trick in February against FC Zurich.
