Africans: Ekambi strikes twice in Lyon’s emphatic win

Lanky Cameroonian striker Karl Toko Ekambi made it three goals in five matches for French Ligue 1 giants Lyon after scoring a brace when they registered an emphatic 5-0 win over Angers on Saturday.

Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho and Zambian Patson Daka opened their goal accounts in the current English Premier League campaign, albeit on a losing note for Leicester City.

Here, FARPost gives a round-up of how Africans plying their trade in Europe performed over the weekend.

Cheikhou Kouyate [Nottingham Forest]

Workhorse Senegalese midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate was on target for Nottingham Forest though on a losing cause as Bournemouth overturned their two-goal advantage to win 2-3.

Kouyate opened the scoresheet after 33 minutes with a powerful header from close range, and Brennan Johnson darted the ball home on the stroke of halftime to give Forest a two-goal cushion going into the break.

However, they crumbled under intense pressure from Bournemouth, who pulled one back six minutes after the restart through Philip Billing. Dominic Solanke levelled matters 12 minutes later, and substitute Jaidon Anthony sealed their win three minutes from time when he tapped home from Solanke’s cross.

Karl Toko Ekambi [Lyon]

On Saturday, gangly Cameroonian forward Karl Toko Ekambi notched a brace as Lyon drubbed Angers 5-0 in the French Ligue 1.

Ekambi has now scored three goals in five appearances. Meanwhile, Lyon has won four of their first five games, but this one turned out to be their most emphatic win.

Alexandre Lacazette, Castello Lukeba and Moussa Dembélé scored the other goals to complete the massive Angers thrashing.

Dango Quattara [Lorient]

Burkina Faso midfielder Dango Quattara was the hero of the day for French side Lorient after scoring the only goal they needed to collect maximum points away to Ajaccio. The win left Lorient fixated on the seventh position.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka [Leicester City]

The pair of Nigerian Kelechi Iheanacho and Zambian Patson Daka scored commendable goals for Leicester City in what turned out to be an embarrassing evening for them.

They lost 5-2 to Brighton. Nevertheless, it took Iheanacho just 52 seconds to open the scoresheet after benefitting from a defensive blunder.

Luke Thomas’ own goal and a goal by Moses Caicedo turned the game, but Daka restored parity for the Foxes after 33 minutes.

But Leandro Trossard and Mac Allister scored for Brighton in quick succession to restore Brighton’s lead, and the latter wrapped up the game with a stunning free-kick in injury-time.

Ike Ugbo [Troyes]

Nigerian Ike Ugbo was on target for French side Troyes when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Rennes.

Ugbo opened the scores in the 14th minute, and his side held onto the lead until the 48-minute mark when Baptiste Santamaria cut through their defence to restore parity for Rennes.

Admiral Muskwe [Fleetwood]

Zimbabwean international forward Admiral Muskwe opened his goal account for his new team Fleetwood in their one-all draw against Wycombe Wanderers in England’s League One.

The 24-year-old pounced on a rebound in the 67th minute to put Fleetwood ahead in the match. But Wycombe Wanderers clawed back into contention to settle for the draw courtesy of a goal by Anis Mehmeti.

Christian Kouame [Florentina]

Cote d’Ivoire International Christian Kouame scored his first Serie A goal since September 2020 to force a share of the spoils when they hosted Juventus on Saturday.

Arkadiusz Milik had given Juventus an early lead in a match they dominated in every respect. But they faded when  Christian Kouame equalised for the home team in the 29th minute.

Dylan Mbayo [Kortrijk]

Dylan Mbayo of Senegal emerged as the hero for Belgian Pro League side Kortrijk after his late strike helped them collect maximum points away to AS Eupen.

Mbayo broke the deadlock in the 81st minute, and they held on to the lead to record their second win of the season.