African players shine across Europe’s top leagues

Hull City's Algerian midfielder #10 Mohamed Belloumi celebrates after scoring the equalising goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge in London on September 12, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP) /

Algerian winger Mohamed Belloumi scored twice as promoted Hull City stretched an unbeaten Premier League run this season to four matches at the weekend by drawing 2-2 away to Chelsea.

AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues:

ENGLAND

MOHAMED BELLOUMI (Hull City)

Belloumi struck his first two league goals to continue Hull’s honeymoon start to life back in the top flight after a 10-year absence. He scored twice in six first-half minutes with two sweet strikes on his left foot, although his second goal benefited from multiple deflections off Chelsea defenders. His brace secured a point for the third-placed Tigers at Stamford Bridge.

MALICK YALCOUYE (Brighton)

The Mali-born midfielder was on the scoresheet in the Seagulls’ 5-0 rout of 10-man Coventry. Yalcouye, who has played for the Ivory Coast under-23 team after being raised in the country, bagged Brighton’s second goal in the 51st minute, accelerating away from the Coventry defence to fire home. It was the 20-year-old’s second goal this season after also netting in a defeat at Chelsea.

SPAIN

INAKI WILLIAMS (Athletic Bilbao)

Ghana international Williams snatched his team a 1-1 La Liga draw against Elche by scoring from close-range with little over 10 minutes remaining. The 32-year-old striker got the lightest touch on the ball to brush it home while two defenders tried to block him. It was his first goal of the campaign.

ITALY

• EPL: Alonso calls for Chelsea to defend better
• EPL: Alonso wants ‘boring’ Chelsea wins after Hull hold Blues to 2-2 draw
• EPL: Hull City hold Chelsea to 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge

AKOR ADAMS (Venezia)

Adsms put bottom club Venezia ahead at home to Fiorentina, but a Franco Mastantuono hat-trick helped the visitors to a 4-2 Serie A victory. The Nigeria striker unleashed a shot from just inside the box to bring temporary joy to the strugglers.

GERMANY

CHRISTIAN KOFANE (Bayer Leverkusn)

Kofane’s classy 18th-minute strike was not enough as Leverkusen were held to a 2-2 draw at Augsburg. The 20-year-old Cameroon striker collected a long pass from Burkinabe Edmond Tapsoba and cooly guided a low shot into the bottom right corner to open the scoring.

SERHOU GUIRASSY (Borussia Dortmund)

Guirassy had two goals chalked off for offside, but still played a crucial role as Borussia sailed to a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Paderborn. Named alongside strike partner Fabio Silva for the first time this season, Guirassy fed the Portuguese near the halfway line and Silva scored the opener after just five minutes.

FRANCE

ABDALLAH SIMA (Lens)

Sima triggered a Lens comeback in a 2-2 Ligue 1 draw at Le Mans by scoring in added time at the end of the first half to halve a two-goal deficit. The Senegal international claimed his first league this season with a header past goalkeeper Ewan Hatfout.

Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.

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