Some African players seem to be off to a flying start. Nigeria's Orban, Cameroon's Nsamé, Côte d'Ivoire's Krasso and Burkina Faso's Lassina Traoré all shone at the weekend.
As the first of Europe's top 10 leagues get underway, the Belgian league saw a number of African strikers quickly make their mark. Such was the case of Nigerian Gift Orban, rumored to be on his way out, but who scored in La Gantoise's 3-2 win over Kortrijk, with Algerian Abdelhak Kadri scoring for the visitors.
RC Genk came out on top at RWD Molenbeek (4-0), with a goal from Gambian Alieu Fadera.
In Switzerland (Matchday 2), Young Boys Berne (4th) were held to a 2-2 draw by Yverdon, despite Cameroonian Jean-Pierre Nsamé opening the scoring from the penalty spot. Servette Genève (2nd) and FC Zurich (3rd) played out a 2-2 draw, with Ivorian Chris Bédia scoring for the French-speaking side and Nigerian Ifeanyi Matthew for the Germans.
Day 1 of the Armenian championship saw Ararat-Armenia dominate Ararat Yerevan (3-1) thanks to Nigerian duo Matthew Gbomadu and Tenton Yenne (2 goals). Shirak defeated West Armenia (4-2), with a goal from Ivorian Donald Kodia.
In Austria (Matchday 1), Hartberg were held to a draw by Lustenau (2-2), despite a goal from Mali's Ousmane Diakité. In Denmark (Matchday 2), Odense (3rd) beat Brondby (2-1) with a goal from Gambian Alassana Manneh, while Nigerian Ibrahim Saïd scored for Viborg (10th), who were held to a 2-2 draw by Lyngby.
Également le premier but avec les pros de Vladimir Lučić !
Belle passe de Marko Stamenić au début de l'action, qui a fait un excellent match !https://t.co/jt2llqry9D
— Etoile Rouge Belgrade FR (@FranceZvezda) July 30, 2023
In Finland (matchday 18), VPS (5th) beat Ilves Teampera 2-0, with a goal from Nigerian Peter Michael.
In Latvia (matchday 24), his compatriot Abdulrahman Taiwo scored one of the three goals for Riga FC (1st), clear winners over BFC Daugavpils (3-0).
Angola's Afinico Pululu played a part in Jagiellonia's (8th) 4-1 victory over Puszcza in Poland (Matchday 2).
Ghanaian Emmanuel Yaboah helped CFR Cluj (3rd) draw with Universitatea Craiova (1-1) on Matchday 3 of the Romanian championship.
Despite a brace from Burkina Faso's Mohamed Konaté, Akhmat Grozny (14th) lost at home (2-3) to CSKA Moscow (2-3) on Matchday 2 in Russia, while Ghanaian Joel Fameyah helped Kazan (10th) draw with Orenburg (1-1).
In Serbia (Matchday 1), Red Star Belgrade crushed Vojvodina (5-0), and Ivorian Jean-Philippe Krasso, recruited from Saint-Etienne (France, Ligue 2) scored twice, while the 5th goal was scored by Ghanaian Osman Bukari. Cukaricki dominated Radnicki Nis (2-0) with a goal from Gambian Mohamed Badamosi.
Tout le monde a été excellent ce soir, en particulier Jean-Philippe Krasso qui impressionne depuis son arrivée 👏🏻
(Son action à la 52e 😍) https://t.co/2uTN37PcJG
— Etoile Rouge Belgrade FR (@FranceZvezda) July 26, 2023
Ghanaian Henry Addo scored twice in Slovakia (matchday 1) as Zilina beat Ruzomberok 3-1.In Sweden (Matchday 18), Tunisian Amor Layouni scored one of three goals for Häcken (2nd), who beat Elfsborg (3-1).
In Ukraine (matchday 1), Burkina Faso's Lassina Traoré opened his account in Shaktar Donetsk's 2-1 win over Metalist 1925.
