Africans Overseas: Semenyo Scores Twice While Kudus, Salah, and Sarr Steal the Spotlight

The African footballers showcased their exceptional talents over the weekend, demonstrating their scoring abilities as Europe’s elite leagues concluded their seasons.

ENGLAND

Antoine Semenyo netted a brace as Bournemouth triumphed over Leicester City, securing a top-ten finish in the Premier League for the first time in their history.

Although the Cherries controlled the match, they found it challenging to breach Ruud van Nistelrooy’s defence until the 74th minute when Semenyo finished from close range, thanks to a smart assist from Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi.

With just two minutes remaining, Semenyo confirmed his double with a stunning long-range shot, assisted by Dean Huijsen, bringing Bournemouth’s final points tally to 56 — their highest ever in the English top flight.

In another fixture at Portman Road, Mohamed Kudus found the net as West Ham defeated Ipswich 3-1, ending the 2024-25 season on a positive note.

Ward-Prowse opened the scoring just before half-time, taking advantage of a defensive slip, but Nathan Broadhead equalised with a powerful strike shortly after the break.

Jarrod Bowen, bouncing back from his England exclusion, then put the Hammers ahead with a brilliant goal, finishing the season with a notable tally of 14 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.

In the 87th minute, substitute Kudus capped the match with a fantastic solo effort, securing a 3-1 victory.

Mohamed Salah, the Premier League Player of the Season, salvaged a late draw for Liverpool with an equaliser in their 1-1 clash against Crystal Palace.

Senegalese forward Ismaila Sarr gave the Eagles an early advantage in the ninth minute at Anfield, capitalising on a defensive error to score past goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

However, it was the Egyptian superstar who ensured a draw, finding the back of the net in the 84th minute and thereby rescuing a point for the Reds.

This result allowed Salah to equal an all-time record with 47 goal involvements (29 goals, 18 assists), matching the achievements of English legends Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.

Amad Diallo rounded off the 2024-25 season with a goal for Manchester United in their 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

The Ivorian forward headed the Red Devils into the lead in the 76th minute, shortly after a Villa goal was controversially disallowed.

Christian Eriksen secured the win with a penalty in the 87th minute, although Ruben Amorim’s side concluded the season outside the top ten.

African talents Marshall Munetsi and Bryan Mbeumo were in the limelight as Wolves and Brentford fought to a 1-1 draw on the final day of the league.

Mbeumo, the Cameroonian forward, put the Bees ahead in the 20th minute, but Zimbabwe’s Munetsi equalised with a goal in the 75th minute.

ITALY

Lazio faced a surprising 1-0 defeat at home to ten-man Lecce, as Lassana Coulibaly’s goal secured a vital win for the Salentini and squashed the Biancocelesti’s ambitions for European football next season.

The stakes were high, with Lazio vying for a spot in European competition while Lecce battled against relegation.

The atmosphere was tense at the Stadio Olimpico, and the deadlock was finally broken in the 43rd minute when Mario Gila’s wayward pass was intercepted by Nikola Krstovic, who assisted the Mali midfielder to net the crucial goal.

SPAIN

Villarreal concluded a remarkable LaLiga season with an impressive 4-2 victory over Sevilla, celebrating in style at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Pape Gueye scored a brace, while Yeremy Pino and Alex Baena added exquisite goals to wrap up the match.

With this victory, Marcelino’s side finished with a record-breaking 70 points and 71 goals in the season, setting a new club benchmark.

Yan Diomande found the net for Leganes in their 3-0 triumph over Real Valladolid, but the win was insufficient to stave off their relegation to the Spanish second tier.

Needing a victory to bolster survival hopes, Leganes came out strongly against the bottom-placed side, with Javi Hernandez scoring in the 25th minute before Diomande netted and assisted Juan Cruz in a goal-laden first half.

Despite the emphatic win, Leganes’ fate was sealed as other results went against them.