Game Changers of the Week

It’s another week of the Game Changers of the Week series, spotlighting African players who are making an impact in Europe’s major leagues. From match-winning goals to assists and standout attacking performances and impact, we’ve got you covered on the continent’s finest.

Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso) – Newcastle 2-3 Brentford

Dango Ouattara marked his 100th Premier League appearance in style, delivering a goal and an assist as Brentford stunned Newcastle 3-2 at St James’ Park. The Burkina Faso international set up Vitaly Janelt’s equaliser with a pinpoint cross from the left before drilling the 85th-minute winner through Nick Pope’s legs after a swift counter-attack. Ouattara also played a key role in winning the penalty that gave Brentford a 2-1 lead. The 23-year-old became the first player from Burkina Faso to reach 100 Premier League appearances.

El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal) – Burnley 0-2 West Ham

El Hadji Malick Diouf’s inch-perfect cross helped West Ham edge closer to safety with a crucial 2-0 victory at Turf Moor. Released down the left flank by Crysencio Summerville’s flick, the Senegal left-back whipped in a pinpoint delivery in the 26th minute that Taty Castellanos headed past Martin Dúbravka to double the Hammers’ lead. It was Diouf’s fourth assist of the Premier League season, capping off a brilliant opening half-hour for West Ham. The 21-year-old’s contribution helped secure the club’s third win in four league matches, moving them within three points of safety.

Serhou Guirassy (Guinea) – Wolfsburg 1-2 Borussia Dortmund

Serhou Guirassy kept Borussia Dortmund’s title chase alive with an 87th-minute winner at the Volkswagen Arena. With the match heading for a 1-1 draw that would have been a damaging dropped points, the Guinean striker finished clinically from close range after Felix Nmecha and Fábio Silva combined to create space. The goal, Guirassy’s ninth of the Bundesliga season, marked a significant milestone: his 50th appearance in the German top flight for Dortmund, during which he’s netted an impressive 29 goals. The victory extended Dortmund’s unbeaten league run to 14 matches and secured their fifth consecutive league win.

Tolu Arokodare (Nigeria) – Wolves 1-4 Chelsea

Despite Wolves’ crushing 4-1 defeat to Chelsea, Tolu Arokodare provided a rare moment of quality with his second Premier League goal of the season. With Chelsea cruising 3-0 after Cole Palmer’s first-half hat-trick, the Super Eagles striker pulled one back in the 54th minute, pouncing on Adam Armstrong’s flick from a corner and holding off his marker before firing home. The goal briefly lifted Molineux and gave Wolves hope of a comeback. Arokodare later had another chance when played through on goal, but Trevoh Chalobah blocked his low shot. Wolves coach Rob Edwards praised the 25-year-old: “Great for him. Really good. He did some really good things today and worked hard for the team.”

Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) – Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham

Bryan Mbeumo continued his impressive first season at Manchester United by scoring the opener in a 2-0 victory over 10-man Tottenham, his 10th goal across all competitions. After Cristian Romero’s red card reduced Spurs to 10 men, United capitalised through a clever corner routine involving Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo. Mainoo’s flick found Mbeumo free near the penalty spot, and the Cameroonian guided a cool left-footed finish into the bottom corner in the 38th minute. The 26-year-old, who joined from Brentford, is United’s top scorer despite missing over a month on AFCON duty with Cameroon. The goal continued his habit of scoring in big matches, having previously opened the scoring against Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham (away) and Arsenal this season. The victory was United’s fourth consecutive win under interim manager Michael Carrick, keeping them fourth and three points behind Aston Villa.