Persian Gulf: Africans score 29 goals this weekend
Persian Gulf: Africans score 29 goals this weekend
Sport News Africa · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
In the 27th round of the Saudi Arabian league, several Africans made a decisive impact. Cape Verdean Julio Tavares struck twice to help Al Raed (13th) beat Al Hazem (2-0). Cameroonian Karl Toko Ekambi scored the only goal of the game between Al-Ettifaq (6th) and Al-Riyadh (1-0). Al Feiha (9th) owe their comfortable win (3-0) over Al-Akhdoud to Zambian Fashion Sakala, who netted a brace, and Moroccan Abdelhamid Sabiri. Egyptian Mohamed Sherif scored a consolation for Al-Khaleej (10th) against Al Hilal (1-4).
In the United Arab Emirates (round 18), Malian Moussa Marega earned Al-Sharjah (5th) a point in a draw with Emirates Club (3-3). Al-Bataeh (7th) won comfortably at Khorfakkan (3-0). Cameroonian Anatole Abang and Malian Sekou Gassama each scored once. Moroccan Adel Taarabt got one of Al Nasr's three goals (6th) in their win at Al-Aïn (3-1). In Qatar (round 19), the Africans again made their mark. Moroccan Achraf Bencharki gave Al-Rayyan (3rd) a win over Muaither SC (1-0). Despite a goal from Tunisian Ferjani Sassi, Al-Gharafa (2nd) were held by Umm-Salal (1-1).
Moroccan Naoufel Bannis scored twice in Al Markhiya's (12th) emphatic win at Al-Ahli Doha (4-1). In fine form in recent weeks, for both club and country, Kenyan Michael Olunga scored again in Al Duhail's (6th) win over Al Sadd (3-1). Finally, Al Arabi (5th) won (4-2) away at Al-Wakrah (4th), with a goal from Tunisian Youssef Msakni among them, while Algerian Mohamed Benyettou scored both of the hosts' goals.
Olunga on the scoresheet again for Al Duhail
In Iraq (round 21), a goal from Senegalese Dominique Mendy gave Al Najaf (8th) the upper hand against Al Naft. Al Zawraa (3rd) beat Al Kahraba (1-0) thanks to Nigerian Christopher John. Newroz (5th) beat Bagdad (19th) 3-2, with a goal from Nigerian Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, while the capital club's goals came from Cameroonian Ernest Abang and Ivorian Florent Didier. In Iran (round 22), Sanat-Naft (15th) beat Sepahan (2-1) with a goal from Gambian Boubacarr Trawally.
In Kuwait (title play-offs), Al-Arabi (1st) were held at home by Al-Qadisiya (1-1), despite a goal from Moroccan Hamza Khabba. In the relegation play-offs, Kazma SC beat Khatan (3-2) thanks to a brace from Algerian Imadeddine Azzi and a goal from Nigerian Benjamin Teidi.
Alexis Billebault