There is a familiar name back on the list of African scorers in Europe’s elite leagues this past weekend, while the Premier League in particular continues to be fertile ground for stars from the continent.
VICTOR OSIMHEN (NAPOLI & NIGERIA)
A new season, but same old Osimhen as the Italian Serie A Golden Boot winner from the last campaign opened his account with two goals for champions Napoli against promoted Frosinone. His first came just before halftime as he swept in a powerful shot from 15 yards having been teed-up by Giovanni Di Lorenzo. He completed his brace after beating the offside trap and providing a cool finish past home goalkeeper Stefano Turati. He remains the ace goal-poacher in Serie A.
TAIWO AWONIYI (NOTTINGHAM FOREST & NIGERIA)
Two in two games for Awoniyi this season and Nigeria truly are blessed with an array of attacking talent to choose for the Super Eagles. Nottingham Forest beat promoted Sheffield United 2-1 and it was the striker who got them going early with a headed goal inside three minutes from Serge Aurier’s cross. Awoniyi has now scored in six successive Premier League games dating back to last season, with eight goals in all in that time. Superb form for the 26-year-old.
SERGE AURIER (NOTTINGHAM FOREST & COTE D’IVOIRE)
Aurier is not everyone’s cup of tea with his abrasive style and at times overzealous play, but he has been a hugely effective signing for Nottingham Forest since the start of last season. The right-back followed up his assist for Awoniyi by laying on the winner for Chris Wood with another excellent cross that was headed into the goal. Two assists is not a bad day out …
BRYAN MBEUMO (FULHAM & CAMEROON)
We said last week that Cameroonian winger Mbeumo could be a player to watch this season and he has backed us up with two more goals as Brentford easily defeated west London rivals Fulham 3-0. After DR Congo forward Yoane Wissa had put Brentford ahead, Mbeumo stole the show with a brace to seal the comfortable win. His first was a well-taken penalty midway through the second half as he kept his cool, before he netted a second in injury-time at the end of the game after being set up by Kristoffer Ajer.
MOHAMED SALAH (LIVERPOOL & EGYPT)
Salah needed two bites of the cherry to open his Premier League account for the season with a goal in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth at Anfield. With the score at 1-1, the Reds were awarded an admittedly soft penalty and the Egyptian superstar stepped up to take it. His effort from 12 yards was superbly saved by Cherries goalkeeper Neto, but Salah was quickest to the rebound and thundered the ball into the net at the second attempt. He is now up and running for 2023/24.
PAPE MATAR SARR (TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR & SENEGAL)
Sarr joined Tottenham from French Ligue 1 side Metz at the start of last season but made only two starts in the Premier League all campaign. Under new manager Ange Postecoglou he looks as though he will be given more responsibility and he rewarded that faith with a goal in the 2-0 win against Manchester United on Saturday. It was already a lively performance up to that point, but he arrived with perfect timing at the back post to steer the ball into the net and score his first goal for the club. A superb start to the season for the 20-year-old.
INAKI WILLIAMS (ATHLETIC BILBAO & GHANA)
Williams reached double figures for LaLiga goals for just the second time in his nine seasons in Spain’s elite league in the previous campaign and has continued where he left off with the opener in Athletic Bilbao’s 2-0 win at Osasuna. It was a smart finish from close-range as a cross was swung in and he showed good composure to turn the ball in with his boot. The 29-year-old took his LaLiga career tally to 65 goals.
