Some of this column's regulars were in the news again this weekend before the international break. These included Guinea's Serhou Guirassy, Congo's Simon Banza and Senegal's Cherif Ndiaye.
In Germany (matchday 26), VfB Stuttgart (3rd) moved a step closer to qualifying for the Champions League 2024-2025.This is thanks in part to Guinean Serhou Guirassy, who scored his 22nd league goal in the team's 3-0 win at Hoffenheim.Mali's Amadou Haïdara also played a part in RB Leipzig's (5th) 5-1 victory over FC Cologne.
In England (matchday 29), Burnley (19th) beat Brentford 2-1 thanks to a goal from Ivorian David Fofana.
In Spain (matchday 29), 15th-placed Sevilla sank deeper into crisis after losing 1-2 at home to Celta Vigo, despite Moroccan Youssef En-Nesyri's opener.
In France (matchday 26), Nice (4th) came from behind to beat Lens 3-1, thanks in particular to a brace from Terem Moffi of Nigeria. Le Havre (13th) were dominated at Clermont (1-2) despite a goal from Ghanaian André Ayew.
In Italy (matchday 29), second-placed AC Milan came from behind to win 3-1 at Verona, with a goal from Nigerian Samuel Chukwueze, while Moroccan Walid Cheddira scored for Frosinone (18th), beaten 2-3 at home by Lazio Rome.
Kanga takes part in Standard's festival
In Belgium (matchday 30), Standard Liège (10th) crushed Eupen (4-0) with a goal from Ivorian Wilfried Kanga. Mauritanian Aboubakary Koita scored one of two goals for Sint-Truiden (9th) against FC Brugge. Intense Togolese Kevin Denkey scored again on one occasion for Cercle Bruges (5th) against RWD Molenbeek (4-0).
In the Netherlands (matchday 26), a late equalizer from Algeria's Anis Hadj Moussa earned Vitesse Arnhem (17th) a 1-1 draw against Almere City.
In Portugal (matchday 26), Braga (4th) came from behind to beat Gil Vicente thanks to Congolese (DRC) Simon Banza, while Rio Ave (15th) took a point at Farense (1-1) thanks to Ghanaian Emmanuel Boateng.
In Switzerland (matchday 28), Lausanne Sport (9th) beat Toung Boys Berne 2-0, with a penalty from Senegal's Mamadou Kaly Sène. FC Zurich were held to a 2-2 draw by Lausanne Ouchy, despite Congolese (DRC) Jonathan Okita opening the scoring. His compatriot Chadrac Akolo helped FC St. Gallen (5th) to a 1-1 draw at Grasshopper Zurich.FC Lugano (3rd) overcame Yverdon-les-Bains (2-0) with a goal from Tunisian Hadj Mahmoud.
Okita and Akolo score in Switzerland
In Turkey (matchday 30), Adana Demirspor (13th) clearly dominated Sivasspor (4-1) with a goal from Algerian Youcef Atal. Nigeria's Ibrahim Olawoyin scored one of the three goals for Rizespor (7th) against Gaziantep (3-1). His compatriot Fisago Delo-Bashiru also scored in Hatayspor's (15th) 3-0 win over Samsunspor. Kasimpasa (5th) were beaten on their own turf by Galatasaray Istanbul despite a goal from Cape Verdean Nuno Da Costa.
In Luxembourg (matchday 21), Kaerjeng (13th) beat Marisca Marsch 1-0 thanks to Algerian Idir Boutrif. Union Titus Pétange (6th) beat Fola Esch (3-0) with a goal from Congolese (DRC) Wilson Kamavuaka and another from Gambian Marian Sarr.
In Serbia (matchday 26), Red Star Belgrade (1st) crushed Radnik 1923 (5-0) with a brace from Senegalese Chérif Ndiaye.
