African ALL Stars: Minteh scores again, Bassey on target again at Old Trafford

It was a relatively quiet weekend for African stars, particularly in England with FA Cup matches taking precedence and the Premier League on a break.

But there were still several outstanding displays from footballers from the continent to mostly help their clubs to success.

YANKUBA MINTEH (GAMBIA & BRIGHTON)

Minteh’s stocks continue to rise week by week as he netted another crucial goal in Brighton & Hove Albion’s excellent 2-1 extra-time victory at Newcastle United that has booked an FA Cup quarterfinal against either Nottingham Forest or Ipswich Town, who play on Monday night.

He took his goal well against his former side, outstripping the home defence from Joao Pedro’s pass, before finishing well. It made up for an earlier error where he gave away a penalty.

That is now six goals in all competitions for Minteh, but four of those have come since mid-January. Add to that four assists and the 20-year-old Gambian is starting to blossom. That is 10 goal contributions in 15 starts (and 11 sub appearances).

CALVIN BASSEY (NIGERIA & FULHAM)

Centre-back Bassey loves a goal at Old Trafford! He has only ever scored three goals for Fulham and two of them have come away at Manchester United. He netted the opener in the FA Cup tie, showing quick reactions to head home as the ball fizzed at him from a flick-on.

The game eventually went to penalties and it was the London side who held their nerve to book a quarterfinal meeting at home to Crystal Palace. Fulham have never won a trophy in their history, could this be their year?

UMAR SADIQ (NIGERIA & VALENCIA)

Sadiq scored two goals for relegation threatened Valencia in their seesaw 3-3 draw at Osasuna, including one to give them the lead and then another to rescue a point. Valencia twice led in the game but in the end needed Sadiq’s 87th minute equaliser to get a point as they remain in the bottom three.

That is now three goals in his last three games for the tall forward having joined Valencia from Real Sociedad in January. He stretched to score his first following a long cross into the six-yard box, but his second was a masterpiece.

The ball was crossed from the left and, 12-yards from goal, he back-heel flicked the ball into the corner of the net. A superb piece of improvisation!

BRAHIM DIAZ (MOROCCO & REAL MADRID)

Real Madrid have seen their once commanding lead at the top of LaLiga eroded and they now sit three points behind bitter rivals Barcelona in third place. That follows Saturday’s surprise 2-1 loss at Real Betis, who came from a goal down to take the three points that moves them into sixth in the table.

Things were going well for Real Madrid when Diaz gave them the lead on 10 minutes. The goal was put on a plate for him as a wonderful Madrid move released Ferland Mendy on the left-hand side of the box, and his low ball was perfect for Diaz to fire home.

That is a fourth goal to go with two assists for Diaz in LaLiga this season. he has made 11 starts and 10 sub appearances.

SAMUEL CHUKWUEZE (NIGERIA & AC MILAN)

AC Milan slumped to a third straight Serie A defeat that has seen them drop to ninth in the table, but Chukwueze scored in their 2-1 home loss to Lazio.

His goal looked to have sealed a point for Milan, but Pedro netted a penalty winner for Lazio in the 98th minute in a dramatic end to the game.

Chukwueze’s goal came an unlikely route too as he headed home at the back post. He is more known for his silky skills with the ball at his feet. It is his third goal of the campaign from nine starts (and 12 sub appearances).

KEAGAN DOLLY (SOUTH AFRICA & TS GALAXY)

Dolly looks to be enjoying life at TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership and scored his second goal for the club since joining as a free agent in November. It was a beauty too as he picked up the ball 35-yards from goal and struck a thunderous low drive that nestled in the bottom corner of the net.

It was a first goal in the South African topflight for the midfielder in almost two years, having also netted for Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup against Vasco da Gama. The 32-year-old will be hoping he can help The Rockets shoot up the table and into CAF club competition contention.

They are currently three points off Sekhukhune United in third.