As a part of a new weekly series, we take a look at the African players that lit up the top European leagues this weekend.
Idrissa Gueye – Senegal and Everton
Forwards Richarlison and Theo Walcott might have stolen the headlines for Everton as they beat Southampton on Saturday, but midfielder Idrissa Gueye was almost as responsible for ensuring the win for the Toffees, as he made four tackles and three interceptions (no player made more during the match). The 28-year old was impressive alongside Morgan Schneiderlin at the base of midfield and consequently earned the praise of his manager Marco Silva.
Wilfred Ndidi – Nigeria and Leicester City
Nigeria’s defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was another one who was solid for a Premier League side at the weekend. Ndidi played a crucial role for Leicester City as they registered their first league win of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The former Genk starlet then celebrated the success by signing a new, six-year deal at the King Power Stadium.
Alfred Gomis – Senegal and SPAL
Senegal goalkeeper Alfred Gomis spent the World Cup on the bench, but he has enjoyed a fine start to the season with Italian side SPAL. Gomis has played the full 90 minutes and kept clean sheets in his side’s two matches so far, first in the Coppa Italia last week and then against Bologna in Serie A on Sunday. Leonardo Semplici’s men won both matches 1-0.
Ellyes Skhiri – Tunisia and Montpellier
Montpellier recovered from their opening day loss to Dijon with a morale-boosting 2-1 away win over Amiens on Saturday. Florent Mollet opened the scoring for La Paillade with what was arguably the goal of the weekend in Ligue 1. Tunisian midfielder Ellyes Skhiri then doubled his side’s lead with a superb goal of his own from a rebound just inside the area after Régis Gurtner had saved his initial shot.
Denis Bouanga – Gabon and Nimes
Nîmes pulled off a famous, impressive 3-1 over Olympique Marseille at the Stade des Costières in Nîmes yesterday. That was the promoted side’s second consecutive win as they continued their remarkable start to the new season, and their first over Marseille in 25 years. Gabon’s international winger Denis Bouanga broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, and although Marseille pulled level early in the second half, Bouanga had set the Crocodiles well on their way to victory.