Africans Abroad: Mbeumo Stuns Liverpool, Bonny and Toure Shine, Ndiaye Sees Red

It was a productive week for African players across Europe’s top leagues, with several making decisive contributions for their clubs, even as fortunes varied.

England

Bryan Mbeumo scored as Manchester United claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool, their first win at Anfield since 2016.

The Cameroon international struck just 62 seconds into the match, capitalising on Amad Diallo’s pass after a collision between Alexis Mac Allister and Virgil van Dijk left the Argentine down injured—a moment that sparked furious protests from Liverpool, though VAR could not intervene as no foul occurred.

Liverpool fought back relentlessly, with Cody Gakpo eventually equalising from Federico Chiesa’s low cross after hitting the post three times. However, Harry Maguire’s towering header from a Bruno Fernandes cross in the 84th minute sealed United’s win, extending Liverpool’s recent struggles.

Mbeumo played the full 90 minutes, while Mohamed Salah featured for 85 before being substituted for Jeremie Frimpong.

Italy

Genoa endured a frustrating night as Abdoulaye Ndiaye saw red in the first half, and Maxwell Cornet missed a stoppage-time penalty, resulting in a 0-0 draw with 10-man Parma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Senegal international Ndiaye was sent off after two reckless fouls within five minutes, leaving Genoa to face a resilient Parma side with a numerical advantage. Despite dominating possession, Genoa could not find a way past Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, whose heroic saves—including stops from Vitinha and Ruslan Malinovskyi—kept the hosts at bay. Cornet’s penalty in stoppage time was brilliantly saved, extending Genoa’s winless home run to seven games and goalless streak to five.

Elsewhere in Serie A, Ange-Yoan Bonny proved decisive for Inter Milan, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over AS Roma. The Ivorian forward finished calmly from Nicolo Barella’s early pass in the sixth minute and troubled Roma’s defence throughout, securing a crucial victory in the Scudetto race.

Germany

Bazoumana Toure inspired Hoffenheim to a 3-0 win over St. Pauli at Millerntor-Stadion. The 19-year-old Ivorian created chances down the left before opening the scoring in the 54th minute, marking his first goal for the club. Andrej Kramaric doubled the lead shortly after, with Grischa Promel sealing the win late. Hoffenheim’s performance highlighted their best away display of the season, while St. Pauli remained winless at home.

In another thrilling Bundesliga encounter, Cameroon midfielder Christian Kofane played a key role as Bayer Leverkusen edged Mainz 4-3. Kofane doubled Leverkusen’s lead in the 24th minute after Alejandro Grimaldo’s early penalty, helping his side extend their unbeaten away run. Despite late pressure from Mainz, Leverkusen held on for a dramatic victory.

France

Hamza Igamane came off the bench to secure Lille a vital 2-0 win over Nantes, ending a three-match winless run. The Moroccan forward scored after pouncing on a loose ball, following an early goal from Hakon Haraldsson. Despite Nantes’ goalkeeper Anthony Lopes making multiple saves, Lille held on to climb to sixth in Ligue 1.

African talent also shone in a thrilling 3-3 draw between Lorient and Brest. Abdoulaye Faye nearly doubled Lorient’s lead with a header, while Arsene Kouassi equalised shortly after the break. Brest then took the lead from a late penalty, only for Sambou Soumano to snatch a stoppage-time equaliser for Lorient, rescuing a point for Les Merlus.

African players continue to make their mark across Europe, producing memorable moments and influencing key matches from England to France.