Taiwo Awoniyi scored for Nottingham Forest on Saturday after returning from injury. | Image: Wikipedia
Some of the continent’s great, who could resume club duty this weekend after the international break include Bryan Mbeumo, Taiwo Awoniyi, Lyle Foster, Mohamed Salah, Yoane Wissa, Jordan Ayew, and Alex Iwobi
African players are set to resume duties at their various Premier League clubs this weekend after playing in one of the best organised African Nations Cup (AFCON 23) football tournament hosted by Cote d’Ivoire.
Some of the continent’s great, who could resume club duty this weekend after the international break include Bryan Mbeumo, Taiwo Awoniyi, Lyle Foster, Mohamed Salah, Yoane Wissa, Jordan Ayew, and Alex Iwobi.
Bryan Mbeumo – Brentford
With Ivan Toney’s long-term suspension for breaches of the Football Association’s gambling laws, Brentford were in desperate need of one of their players to step up and replace the goals the striker would have provided.
Bryan Mbeumo, from Cameroon, has been the man to answer the call, with four goals already this season.
Also read: AFCON: Super Eagles remain a team to beat – Football enthusiasts
He’s stepped up as the new penalty-taker for the Bees and has also shown his threat in open play. His goal against Bournemouth came from an exquisite touch and turn that showed his attacking class.
Taiwo Awoniyi – Nottingham Forest
Though recuperating from an injury that denied him AFCON participation, and reflecting on his heroics that kept Nottingham Forest up last season with goals in each of the last four games of the season, Taiwo Awoniyi has carried on where he left off by scoring in each of the first three matches of this campaign.
In doing so, he became only the third African to score in seven consecutive Premier League matches after Mohamed Salah and Emmanuel Adebayor. Awoniyi also scored at the weekend after returning from injury.
In his second season in the Premier League, the Nigerian is showing his quality with goals at great arenas like the Emirates and Old Trafford as well as an assist for a memorable winner at Stamford Bridge.
Lyle Foster – Burnley
It’s been a long time since a South African has made an impact in the Premier League, and Lyle Foster is now making Mzansi proud with his performances upfront for newly promoted Burnley.
The 23-year-old has scored against Aston Villa and Tottenham, which means that he’s already overtaken his goal total in the Championship last season.
The Clarets have started with three straight losses and it might be a battle for them to stay in the division. With Foster providing goals, his role in their survival attempt will be key.
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
As a three-time Golden Boot winner and the leading all-time African scorer in the Premier League, Mohamed Salah is going to go into every season with high expectations.
With either a goal or an assist in every league game so far this season, the “Egyptian King” is still Liverpool’s leader in attack despite all the changes in personnel around him, with the likes of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino leaving recently.
Salah, who is recovering from an injury sustained at AFCON, has eight goals away from 150 in the Premier League and he would only be the 11th player to reach that milestone. He also scored at the weekend.
Yoane Wissa – Brentford
Strikers usually have a streak of selfishness about them, but Yoane Wissa has stood out for how selflessly he works for the team upfront.
The DRC forward has two goals to his name so far this season and has been a key player for Brentford, who are unbeaten after four games.
This is Wissa’s third season in the Premier League, and with more starting opportunities available due to Toney’s suspension, this could be the most impactful season in England for him.
Jordan Ayew – Crystal Palace
In his ninth Premier League season following spells at Aston Villa and Swansea, Jordan Ayew is a stalwart in the division these days and he consistently makes telling contributions for Crystal Palace.
The Ghanaian has kept his place in the first team and has already registered assists against Sheffield United and Brentford.
The Eagles will be more than happy with their position of seventh, and with Ayew looking to make an impact against his former club, Aston Villa, this weekend, they could even find themselves higher up the table.
Alex Iwobi – Fulham
The Super Eagles of Nigeria player, who played in AFCON final against Cote d’Ivoire, may not start for Fulhman this weekend after a fantastic AFCON tournament, where he played all the seven matches for Nigeria.
