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Africans Abroad: Double delight for Semenyo and Godo as Kudus steals the spotlight

Semenyo (left) celebrates scoring for Bournemouth
Semenyo (left) celebrates scoring for BournemouthČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Graham Hunt

Impressive performances from African players played a pivotal role in securing crucial results for their respective clubs.

England

Antoine Semenyo inspired Bournemouth to a thrilling comeback as they beat Fulham 3-1 in stormy conditions to climb to fourth in the Premier League. 

The Cottagers had struck first in the 70th minute when Ryan Sessegnon latched onto Samuel Chukwueze’s pass and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. 

But Ghana international Semenyo dragged the Cherries level eight minutes later with a dazzling solo effort, weaving past defenders on the left before squeezing a shot through Bernd Leno’s legs. 

Substitute Justin Kluivert then fired the hosts ahead with a spectacular long-range strike after bursting from midfield. 

As the Londoners pressed for an equaliser deep into stoppage time, Semenyo sealed victory by finishing a ruthless counter-attack, completing a brace and adding to his earlier assist. 

Elsewhere, Iliman Ndiaye was on target as Everton secured a 2-1 comeback win against Crystal Palace.

Daniel Munoz had earlier given the Eagles a first-half lead with a composed finish from Ismaila Sarr’s pass, and they looked set for a third consecutive Premier League win.

Nevertheless, the hosts stepped up their performance in the second half and the Senegal international restored parity from the penalty spot in the 76th minute after Maxence Lacroix fouled Tim Iroegbunam

With the game looking destined for a draw, Jack Grealish struck a dramatic 93rd-minute winner, ending Crystal Palace’s club-record 19-match unbeaten run.

At Elland Road, Mohammed Kudus inspired Tottenham Hotspur to a 2-1 win against Leeds United to end their unbeaten home run that stretched back over a year. 

The Ghanaian star first slipped Mathys Tel through, and the young forward hammered in a superb 20-yard strike via a deflection past Karl Darlow in the 23rd minute.

Eleven minutes later, Leeds responded when Noah Okafor pounced on a rebound after Brenden Aaronson’s effort was saved. 

However, it was Kudus who stole the show as he produced a moment of quality, cutting across the edge of the box before driving low into the corner to power the Londoners to a crucial away victory. 

Germany

Bilal El Khannouss struck for the third consecutive home game as Stuttgart earned a hard-fought 1-0 win over Heidenheim, extending their Bundesliga winning streak to three. 

Although the match was scrappy in changeable conditions, the home team looked brighter, with Badredine Bouanani coming close after a clever throw-in and Lorenz Assignon testing the visitors’ defense. 

The visitors threatened through Mikkel Kaufmann but failed to capitalize. Just past the hour, Moroccan star El Khannouss weaved into space and guided a precise finish off the post, securing victory as Heidenheim remained stuck near the bottom.

Cameroon teenager Christian Kofane sealed Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 win over Union Berlin, tapping into an empty net after a Frederik Ronnow error to secure his first Bundesliga goal. 

The victory lifted Leverkusen to fourth, extending their strong head-to-head record against Union to just one defeat in 16 meetings. 

Earlier, Ernest Poku gave the hosts a deserved lead, clinically finishing Lucas Vazquez’s cutback in the 33rd minute. 

Steffen Baumgart’s men had threatened through Jeong Woo-yeong and Danilho Doekhi, but Leverkusen’s intensity proved decisive. 

Despite Ibrahim Maza hitting the post, Die Werkself controlled the final stages, stretching their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Italy

Frank Anguissa headed Napoli level early in the second half before Rasmus Hojlund pounced on his saved effort to clinch a 2-1 comeback win over Genoa at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Jeff Ekhator’s deft first-half strike had given the visitors hope, but the Parthenopeans’ substitutions turned the tide. With Leonardo Spinazzola instrumental, the champions extended their unbeaten home run against the Griffins to 16 league games, moving top as their opponents stayed winless.

Saul Coco looked to have sealed a dramatic stoppage-time winner for Torino with a far-post header, only for Lazio to snatch a 3-3 draw at the Stadio Olimpico. 

Giovanni Simeone struck first before Matteo Cancellieri’s brace turned the game around. 

Che Adams equalised, and Equatorial Guinea star Coco struck late, but Danilo Cataldi’s 99th-minute penalty rescued the hosts.

France

Senegal duo Rassoul Ndiaye and Issa Soumare inspired Le Havre’s comeback in a 2-2 draw against Rennes at Stade Oceane.

Soumare won and converted a first-half penalty to halve the deficit after Breel Embolo’s brace. 

Ndiaye, having earlier missed a big chance, redeemed himself late on with a composed volley, rescuing a point as both sides recorded a third straight draw.

Martial Godo
Martial GodoPSNEWZ / Sipa Press / Profimedia

Martial Godo struck twice in quick succession as RC Strasbourg crushed Angers SCO 5-0 at Stade de la Meinau, extending the visitors’ winless run to six matches.

After a cagey start, Joaquin Panichelli broke the deadlock on 37 minutes and doubled the lead early in the second half with a composed finish. Abdoul Ouattara then made it 3-0 from close range before Godo’s double - a clinical strike into the bottom corner followed by a thumping finish into the roof of the net – sealed a rampant display.

Strasbourg, now third in Ligue 1, showcased their attacking quality, while Angers remain stranded in 17th without a win since opening day.

Shina Oludare
Shina OludareFlashscore News