Traore off the mark, Lookman on target

Africa’s stars continue to shine in Europe’s top leagues with several scoring vital goals for their club sides this past weekend that took them to victory.

---- NIGERIA ONLY ----

Many will be heading to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations later this month, and will be desperately missed by their clubs when they do.

Here is a round-up of the top performers.

BERTRAND TRAORE (BURKINA FASO & SUNDERLAND)

Next fixture: Liverpool (a)

It has been a fantastic start to the season for promoted Sunderland, who find themselves in sixth place after 13 games, better surely than they could have imagined. Their latest victory came on Saturday in a seesaw 3-2 win over Bournemouth, in which they trailed 2-0 but then roared back to take the three points.

Traore scored their equaliser for his first goal for the club since arriving from Ajax at the start of the season. It was a nice finish too as he took a touch after being set up in the box and fired home. It was his first goal contribution of any sort too.

MOHAMMED KUDUS (GHANA & TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR)

Next fixture: Newcastle (a)

Tottenham lost again to pile more pressure on manager Thomas Frank, but Kudus was at least on the scoresheet in the 2-1 home defeat to London rivals Fulham. Spurs were 2-0 down already when he netted just before the hour-mark, with a superb strike that arrowed into the top corner. It was a second goal of the Premier League season to go with four assists as his personal form remains strong.

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (NIGERIA & ATALANTA)

Next fixture: Hellas Verona (a)

It had been slow start to the new Serie A season for Lookman, but he netted his second goal in seven starts and two sub appearances against Fiorentina in a 2-0 win that ended a run of three defeats for the side. He took advantage of a rebound from a save as he buried the ball from five yards. He will soon be lost to Atalanta when he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

LAMECK BANDA (ZAMBIA & LECCE)

Next fixture: Cremonese (a)

Lecce picked up a much needed victory with a 2-1 win over Torino to move clear of the relegation zone and it was handed to them by Banda after he scored what proved to be the winner midway through the first half. To be fair, he couldn’t have missed with a tap-in into an empty net at the back post as the ball fell to him. His goal was greeted with his trademark summersault celebration. It was his first goal contribution of any sort after five starts and five sub appearances this season.

AZZEDINE OUNAHI (MOROCCO & GIRONA)

Next fixture: Elche (a)

It has been a tough start to the season for Girona and then find themselves in the relegation zone despite Sunday’s impressive 1-1 draw with LaLiga giants Real Madrid. They were given the lead by Ounahi on the stroke of halftime, which they held until a Kylian Mbappe penalty midway through the second period.

It was a fantastic finish too as he rifled the ball into the net from 18 yards showing great technique and power. It was a third goal of the campaign in eight starts and a single sub appearance, and he will be crucial for Girona’s battle against the drop.

FLAVIEN ENZO BOYOMO (CAMEROON & OSASUNA)

Next fixture: Levante (h)

Osasuna sit just one place above Girona and would have been in the relegation zone themselves were it not for Boyomo late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Mallorca. He netted two minutes into added time at the end of the game after Osasuna had trailed 2-0 with eight minutes to play. It was a fine goal too, not quite a bicycle-kick, but he turned smartly on the ball and volleyed it into the net from six yards. That was his first goal in 14 LaLiga starts this season.

SAMBOU SOUMANO (SENEGAL & LORIENT)

Next fixture: Lyon (h)

Lorient climbed out of the relegation zone in Ligue 1 following a 3-1 victory over Nice, who had the lead in the game. Lorient roared back and took the three points thanks to Soumano’s brace, as he took his tally for the season to four goals and two assists in five starts and nine sub appearances.

His first goal appeared to go in off his knee following an awkward cross from the left, but they all count no matter how they are scored. His second was a nice finish at the back post after a corner was flicked on and he side-footed home on the half-volley.