A hat-trick for Rahimi in the United Arab Emirates, a double for Hamdallah and Olunga in Saudi Arabia and a decisive Mastourié in Iraq: the Africans have once again made a splash in the Persian Gulf.
Morocco's Abderrazak Hamdallah is in fine form. The striker for Al-Ittihad (4th) once again distinguished himself on Matchday 24 of the Saudi Arabian league, scoring a brace in his team's 4-2 win at Al-Fateh. Cameroon's Karl Toko Ekambi helped Al-Ettiufaq (6th) to a 1-1 draw at Al-Tae. In fine form in recent weeks, Senegal's Habib Diallo scored again as Al-Shabab (10th) beat Al Hazem 3-0. Finally, Al-Feihia (8th) and Al-Riyadh (15th) drew 1-1. Nigerian Henry Onyakuru scored for the hosts and Zimbabwean Knowledge Musona for the visitors.
In the United Arab Emirates (Matchday 16), Moroccan Soufiane Rahimi put in a major performance in Al-Ain's (2nd) 4-0 win at Ajman, scoring a hat-trick, the fourth goal being scored by Malian Abdoul Traoré. Guinea's Ousmane Camara scored both goals for Al Sharjah (5th) against Al-Nasr (2-2). Senegal's Moussa Ndiaye and Morocco's Adel Taarabt scored for the visitors. Despite goals from Congolese (DRC) Neeskens Kebano and Mauritanian Aboubakar Kamara, Al Jazira (7th) were held by Ittihad Kalba (2-2).
Msakni earns Al Arabi a point
In Qatar (matchday 17), Kenya's Michael Olunga was again in the spotlight, scoring twice as Al-Duhail (6th) beat Shamal 3-1. Al Arabi (5th) earned a point against Al-Ahli Doha (1-1) thanks to Tunisian Youssef Msakni. Al-Wakrah (3rd) won 2-0 at Umm Salal thanks to a penalty goal from Algerian Mohamed Benyettou. Two Moroccan players also found the back of the net, but it was not enough to save their respective teams from defeat. Aymane El Hassouni scored for Muaither SC (11th), dominated by Al Sadd (2-4), and Driss Fettouhi saved the honour of Al-Markhiya (12th), beaten at home by Qatar SC (1-2).
In Kuwait, in late matches, Al Arabi (1st) beat Al Naser (3-1) with a goal each from Tunisia's Aymen Sfaxi and Algeria's Imadeddine Boubekeur. Malian Ibrahima Tandia scored one of the four goals.
