The football season is back, and so is our Game Changers of the Week series, spotlighting African players doing bits in Europe’s major leagues. From goals to assists to game-winning performances, we’ve got you covered on the continent’s finest.

Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – Ghana

On the Premier League curtain raiser, all eyes were on champions Liverpool and their new signings, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, and Jeremie Frimpong. While Ekitike showed glimpses, one man stole the show: Antoine Semenyo.

Subjected to racist abuse earlier in the game (disappointing, but sadly not surprising), Semenyo let his football do the talking. Two goals, both well-taken, dragged Bournemouth level against Liverpool. The second was pure brilliance: picking the ball up from his half, charging at the Reds’ defence, and rifling a left-footed strike past Alisson.

Bournemouth lost 4–2, but Semenyo’s display didn’t go unnoticed. With the Cherries losing key players this summer, he looks primed for another big season.

Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham) – Ghana

After shining in pre-season and the UEFA Super Cup, Mohammed Kudus marked his Premier League debut for Spurs in style, bagging two assists for Richarlison in a comfortable 3–0 win over Burnley.

Starting on the right wing, Kudus was electric, completing dribbles, creating chances, and winning duels. Richarlison even joked after the game that “Kudus must be Brazilian” with the way he glides past defenders.

Signed from West Ham in a £55m deal, Kudus looks ready to justify every penny.

Christantus Uche (Getafe) – Nigeria

Super Eagles forward Christantus Uche picked up right where he left off, delivering a goal and an assist in Getafe’s 2–0 away win over Celta Vigo.

Now wearing the number 10 shirt, Uche first teed up strike partner Liso to open the scoring. Then in the 72nd minute, he muscled past his marker on the break, rounded the keeper, and coolly slotted home.

Under José Bordalás, Uche is set to be a central figure in Getafe’s attack this season.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – Egypt

What’s a Premier League opening weekend without a Mo Salah goal? The Egyptian wasn’t at his sharpest against Bournemouth, but when it mattered in stoppage time, he sealed Liverpool’s 4–2 win with a trademark finish.

That strike makes it 10 goals on Premier League opening weekends, the most in history. I understand the hype surrounding Ekitike, Wirtz, or Isak (potentially), but this is still Salah’s team until he decides otherwise.

Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash) – Nigeria

African champion Michelle Alozie came off the bench to score the winner as Houston Dash edged Gotham 2–1 in the NWSL.

Introduced in the 84th minute, Alozie wasted no time. She sprinted onto Sarah Puntigam’s pass on the right wing and blasted home a right-footed finish past the keeper.

It was her first goal of the season, and she’ll be hungry for more minutes and more impact for the Dash.

From Semenyo’s statement performance to Kudus’ dazzling debut, Uche’s end product, Salah doing Salah bits, and Alozie’s match-winner, African stars again wasted no time reminding the world they’re here to play defining roles this season.

That’s it for this week’s Game Changers. See you next week.