Too Good, Too Bad: The Best & Worst of Africans Abroad

Different African stars were in action across the weekend in different leagues and some, unfortunately, found themselves writing unwanted history.

The 23-year-old Super Eagle was among the goals as Napoli recovered from their previous 3-2 defeat against Empoli to hammer Sassuolo 6-1 in a Serie A fixture at Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Saturday.

Senegal international Kalidou Koulibaly put the Partenopei ahead before Osimhen grabbed the second and assisted in the entertaining fixture which also saw Hirving Lozano, Dries Mertens (2) and Amir Rrahmani inscribe their names on the scoresheet.

The attacker is currently ranked joint seventh in the Serie A goalscoring charts with a tally of 13 goals this campaign, as well as being the team’s top league scorer.

The 30-year-old Senegal international conceded yet again courtesy of a clinical finish from Richarlison as Chelsea suffered a 1-0 defeat against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Going into the fixture, Mendy had also failed to keep a clean sheet for the Blues as they battled to a 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford last Thursday.

So far in this campaign, the Lion of Teranga has kept 13 clean sheets, which is tied for the third-most in the competition. In last season's Premier League, he played in 31 games for Chelsea and kept a clean sheet in 16 of those fixtures.

The Zambia international was on target as Rangers snatched a 1-1 draw against Celtic in the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park on Sunday.

After the Bhoys took a deserved lead courtesy of Jota, the 25-year-old Chipolopolo star popped up with a goal for the Gers in the 67th minute, beating goalkeeper Joe Hart with a powerful left-footed effort.

Sakala, who joined Rangers from KV Oostende, has managed eight goals in the Scottish Premiership from 28 appearances and he will hope to add to his tally when Rangers host Dundee United at Ibrox Stadium on Sunday.

Nigeria international Emmanuel Dennis and Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr failed to inspire Watford as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Burnley at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

The two African players were handed starting roles in the relegation battle and despite taking an early lead courtesy of James Tarkowski’s own goal, they could not hold on as the Clarets scored two goals late in the second period to emerge winners.

Dennis and Sarr, who featured for the entire 90 minutes, are staring at relegation from the top-flight with the Hornets as they sit second from the bottom of the 20-team table with 22 points from 34 matches.

The Guinea international turned the hero for Liverpool as his goal enabled the title-chasing Reds to secure a vital Premier League win against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday.

In the fixture that saw manager Jurgen Klopp rest Egypt international Mohamed Salah before he came on in the second period, it was the 27-year-old midfielder who scored the decisive goal in the 19th minute.

Keita has managed 18 appearances overall and accumulated 915 minutes of playing time for the Reds in the league this season. He has started in 11 of these appearances across Liverpool’s 33 fixtures and entered as a substitute on seven occasions, scored three goals, and registered one assist.

The Nigeria international hit the target but it was not enough to help Leicester City as they suffered a 3-1 Premier League defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

It was Spurs who took control of the game as they raced into a three-goal lead courtesy of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, who notched a double before the Super Eagle evaded two Tottenham defenders to drill home a low shot past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Iheanacho, who was in action from start to finish alongside Ghana’s Daniel Amartey and Senegal international Nampalys Mendy, has netted three top-flight goals this campaign from 24 appearances. During the fixture, Zambia’s Patson Daka, was introduced in the 67th minute for Jamie Vardy.

The 29-year-old Ivory Coast international came off the bench to score in stoppage time and help Crystal Palace secure a 2-1 Premier League win against Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday.

Zaha replaced Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 64th minute with scores tied at 1-1 and turned into the hero for the Eagles as he scored in added minutes and help them bounce back to winning ways.

Apart from the goal, Zaha also reached another milestone as he became the third most-capped African in Premier League history. He earned his 274th cap against the Saints in the English top-flight, moving him ahead of Arsenal and Nigeria great Nwankwo Kanu.

The Nigeria attacker was on target but could help Lorient from going down 2-1 against Reims in a Ligue 1 fixture at Stade du Moustoir on Sunday.

The Les Merlus found themselves trailing in the 17th minute when Arber Zeneli hit the back of the net but the 22-year-old Super Eagle levelled matters in the 32nd minute. However, Mali international El Bilal Toure drilled home what turned out to be the winner in the 59th minute.

Despite the defeat, Moffi, who has managed 34 appearances in the current campaign, has scored eight Ligue 1 goals.

The Mali international was on target as Brighton and Hove Albion defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 in the Premier League at Molineux on Saturday.

The Seagulls were the better side in the game and took the lead through Alexis Mac Allister, who converted from the penalty spot before Leandro Trossard grabbed the second and Bissouma sealed the game with the third.

It was the first goal for the 25-year-old this campaign from 23 appearances. In last season’s Premier League, Bissouma featured in 36 games and scored one goal.

The 22-year-old Super Eagle was on target but Villarreal lost 2-1 away to Alaves in a La Liga fixture at Mendizorroza in Vitoria-Gasteiz on Saturday.

It was the home team who took an early lead courtesy of Victor Laguardia before they went 2-0 up through Gonzalo Escalante. However, Chukwueze pulled a goal back for the Yellow Submarine at the start of the second half but it was not enough to hand them something from the game.

The attacker has netted three top-flight goals this season from 23 appearances. He opened his account for the Primera Division season against Barcelona on November 27, scoring during a 3-1 defeat.