More than 30 Africans played some part in matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League, with Nigeria’s Zaidu Sanusi getting on the scoresheet.
Sanusi scored FC Porto’s first goal in their 2-0 win against Olympique Marseille.
Liverpool duo, Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane were denied a celebration of their nomination for the FIFA Best Player of the Year award.
Both players featured as Liverpool suffered their heaviest defeat at home under Jurgen Klopp, losing 2-0 to Atalanta in Anfield.
Austrian giants, Red Bull Salzburg listed at least four African internationals in their 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich. If Karim Adeyemi, an 18-year old German youth international of Nigerian descent were to be included, the number of Africans featured in the game would rise to five.
Zambia’s Enoch Mwepu, 22 started the game, while Ghanaian international, Majeed Ashimeru came on in the second half. Malian youngsters, Sekou Koita and Mohammed Kamara also featured in the game with Cameroonian Jerome Onguene not getting a feel of the action.
In Ajax’s clash against FC Midjtylland, Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana featured, with Burkina Faso’s Lassina Traore and Morocoo’s Noussair Mazaraoui playing a part in the game.
Nigeria’s Frank Onyeka and Guinean Kaba Sory were listed for the reigning Danish champions as they fell to a 1-0 defeat to the Dutch giants.
In Manchester City’s slim 1-0 win against Olympiacos, the Greeks listed Senegalese Ousseynou Ba and Papy Abou Cisse. Guinean international, Mady Camara also featured in the loss to the Citizens.
Abraham Frimpong, a Ghanaian, was in the Ferencvaros team that lost 2-1 to Juventus. Also listed for the game were South Sudan’s Tokmac Nguen and Ivory Coast’s Franck Boli.
Borussia Dortmund ran out 3-0 victors against Belgians Club Brugge. Brugge listed at least five Africans for the game comprising; Ivorians Odilon Kossounou and Simon Deli, Senegal’s Krepin Diatta and Youssouph Badji, and Nigerian David Okereke.
In Lazio’s 3-1 win against Zenit St.Petersburg, Ivorian Dave Akpa-Akpro came on in the second half to have a taste of the encounter.
Mali’s Amadou Haidara was also involved in Red Bull Leipzig’s 1-0 loss to PSG. Senegalese Demba Ba played in Istanbul Basaksehir’s 4-1 loss to Manchester United, while Moroccan international Youssef El-Nesyri was involved in Krasnodar’s loss to Sevilla.
Five Africans were involved as Chelsea earned a late 2-1 win against Stade Rennes. The game had Senegalese goalkeepers at both ends of the pitch, with Amigo Gomis in goal for Rennes while his former teammate and compatriot, Edouard Mendy was in goal for Chelsea.
Mali’s Hamari Traore, Senegal’s Mbaye Niang and Moroccan, Hakim Ziyech completed the African representatives in the game.