African players in Europe: Awoniyi scores as Forest struggle

African players in Europe: Awoniyi scores as Forest struggle

© AFP 2022
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:12 PM
Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou foils Villarreal midfielder Samuel Chukwueze in a La Liga match
Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou foils Villarreal midfielder Samuel Chukwueze in a La Liga match. Photo: Jose Jordan / AFP
Source: AFP

A goal by Nigerian Taiwo Awoniyi could not prevent promoted Nottingham Forest losing 3-2 at home to Fulham at the weekend and remaining in the Premier League relegation zone.

It was the fifth loss in seven matches for the two-time former European champions despite more than 20 close season signings, including Awoniyi from Union Berlin.

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

ENGLAND

TAIWO AWONIYI (Nottingham Forest)

Awoniyi scored his second goal since moving from Germany to England, as the Nigerian's close range finish from a corner put Forest in front against Fulham. But they failed to hold the lead and the defeat left Steve Cooper's men second last with only four points from seven matches.

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SPAIN

YASSINE BOUNOU (Sevilla)

The Morocco goalkeeper made a couple of smart saves in the first half to help Julen Lopetegui's team keep Villarreal at bay and protect a one-goal La Liga lead. However, he needed treatment for a muscular issue near the end of the first half, and though he struggled on, had to be replaced at the break by Marko Dmitrovic in the 1-1 draw. Bounou will now be a doubt for Morocco in the upcoming international break.

ITALY

ASSAN CEESAY (Lecce)

The Gambian opened the scoring as Lecce won 2-1 at Salernitana to claim their first victory of the Serie A season after three draws and three losses. Ceesay starred when the Gambia exceeded expectations by reaching the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Cameroon this year.

FRANCE

SOFIANE BOUFAL/ABDALLAH SIMA/NABIL BENTALEB (Angers)

Senegalese forward Sima played a role in Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo earning a red card after just nine seconds. Sima pushed the ball past Todibo, who stuck out a leg and tripped the striker. After a video review, the decision that Todibo was the last defender stood. Algerian Bentaleb scored the only goal in the 1-0 win for Angers, who also went a man down after Moroccan midfielder Boufal was sent off for a second yellow card.

MAMA BALDE (Troyes)

The Guinea-Bissau international striker scored twice in a 3-1 win at Clermont, the third of the season for his side. The 26-year-old equalised on 23 minutes after taking the ball from the feet of sluggish defender Mateusz Wieteska. He added a second nine minutes after the break to bring his tally to five goals in eight Ligue 1 games for the mid-table side.

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© AFP 2022 photo
© AFP 2022