Game Changers of the Week is back, spotlighting African players doing bits across Europe’s major leagues. From goals to standout attacking performances and impact, we’ve got you covered on the continent’s finest.
Manchester United vs Arsenal was Europe’s biggest game of the weekend, and big games are where big players step up. Starting at centre-forward for the second game in a row, Mbeumo played a key role in United’s 3–2 victory.
After United went behind and found themselves under pressure, Mbeumo was ruthless in punishing a Zubimendi error. Clean through on goal, the Cameroonian showed composure, checking to his right before calmly finishing into an empty net.
With the goal, Mbeumo became the first player since Robin van Persie to score against Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal in his debut season. He also became the first Cameroonian to reach 50 Premier League goals. Big-game player.
Taiwo Awoniyi scored his first league goal in over a year as Nottingham Forest secured a 2–0 win over Brentford. Latching onto the ball on a counter-attack, Awoniyi did well to beat Van den Berg, showing strength to hold him off before finishing past Caoimhín Kelleher.
A huge moment for the Nigerian striker, who has endured an injury-hit year. He’ll be hoping this goal marks the start of a positive run.
Victor Osimhen was back among the goals for Galatasaray, scoring the third in a 3–1 win over Karagümrük. Meeting a cross, Osimhen brought the ball down expertly on his chest before firing home emphatically to seal the victory.
The strike saw him become the fastest player to reach 50 goals for Galatasaray in the modern era, doing so in just 59 appearances since 2000.
Fresh from AFCON duty, Akor Adams has wasted no time making an impact. He has now scored three goals in his last two games for Sevilla, netting the winner from the penalty spot in a 2–1 victory over Athletic Bilbao.
Despite missing a month of action, Adams remains Sevilla’s top scorer with six league goals.
Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria) – Fulham
Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench to decisive effect in Fulham’s 2–1 win over Brighton. Introduced in the 59th minute, he quickly latched onto a long ball from Joachim Andersen, shifted onto his favoured foot, and calmly placed his finish past Bart Verbruggen.
That makes it three goals and four assists in ten appearances for the Nigerian winger, currently on loan from AC Milan.
That’s it for this week’s Game Changers. See you next week.
