Sports

Game Changers of the Week

Hodovai Ekpe-Iko

January 27, 2025
3 Min Read

African players are lighting up pitches across Europe, and this series is dedicated to celebrating their standout performances. From record-breaking moments to game-winning contributions, we highlight the players making waves and proving their mettle every weekend. This week’s list features a historic hat trick, clutch performances, and remarkable stories of resilience and rise.

Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth)

Bournemouth have been in scintillating form recently, and this weekend was no exception as they crushed Nottingham Forest 5-0. Leading the charge was Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara, who etched his name into Premier League history. The forward became the first Burkinabé player to score a Premier League hat-trick, netting in the 56th, 61st, and 87th minutes. With 6 goals and 4 assists in 20 league appearances, Ouattara is proving to be a key player for The Cherries.

Tolu Arokodare (Genk)

Tolu Arokodare continues to dominate the Belgian Pro League. Over the weekend, the Nigerian striker delivered yet another commanding performance, scoring and assisting in Genk’s 2-1 victory over Westerlo. Tolu’s consistency is evident as he leads the league’s scoring charts with 14 goals and sits joint-second in assists with 5. Genk remain top of the table with 51 points after 23 games, thanks in no small part to Arokodare’s heroics.

Christantus Uche (Getafe)

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – JANUARY 26: Chrisantus Uche of Getafe CF celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the LaLiga match between Real Sociedad and Getafe CF at Reale Arena on January 26, 2025 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)

Christantus Uche’s football journey has been nothing short of inspiring. From playing amateur football at 19 to plying his trade in Spain’s fifth tier in 2022, Uche’s rise has been meteoric. Now at Getafe, he made his presence felt this weekend with a goal and an assist in their 3-0 away win over Real Sociedad. With 2 goals and 2 assists so far, Uche is steadily becoming a valuable player under manager José Bordalás.

Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)

Samuel Chukwueze was the definition of clutch for AC Milan on Sunday against Parma. Substituted in while the Rossoneri were chasing a win, Chukwueze stepped up when it mattered most. In the 95th minute, he scored the winner, securing all three points for Milan in dramatic fashion. While it wasn’t the prettiest goal, it was priceless for Milan and a confidence booster for Chukwueze, who now has 2 league goals this season. A strong second half of the season could be on the cards for the winger.

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

Victor Osimhen continues to shine in the Turkish Super League. This weekend, the Nigerian striker delivered yet another decisive performance for Galatasaray, winning and converting a penalty in the 22nd minute to secure a 1-0 victory over Konyaspor. On loan from Napoli, Osimhen is quietly putting together a stellar season, with 12 goals and 4 assists in just 15 league appearances. His contributions are pivotal as Galatasaray sit at the top of the league.