This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
African Players in Europe: Ighalo Maintains Goal-Per-Start Record ¶
Published on June 29, 2020
Nigerian Odion Ighalo continued his impressive goal-scoring form for Manchester United, netting in a 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win against Norwich City at the weekend.
Manchester United's Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo scored the opening goal and a foul on him led to a Norwich City player being red-carded as United won 2-1 to book an FA Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea.
Odion Ighalo, who joined the Red Devils temporarily last January from Shanghai Shenhua, netted from close range and when he was later hacked down on the edge of the box, Timm Klose got his marching orders.
Other notable African scorers in the last-eight stage of the FA Cup included Ivorian Nicolas Pepe, who scored his eighth Arsenal goal from the penalty spot in a 2-1 win at Sheffield United.
Egyptian Mohamed Salah and Senegalese Sadio Mane were both on the scoresheet as Liverpool thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0, ending a 30-year wait to be crowned champions of England.
Salah showed why his presence was so badly missed in a 0-0 draw at Everton last weekend with a cool control and finish for Liverpool's second goal before Salah teed up Mane to round off the scoring.
Both Salah and Mane have played huge parts in Liverpool's title triumph and still have the Golden Boot to challenge for.
Other notable African players in Europe included Ghana defender Joseph Aidoo, who helped Celta snatch a 2-2 draw at home to Barcelona in what could prove a pivotal moment in the title race.
Parma's Ivorian forward Gervinho opened the scoring for Parma against Inter Milan, connecting with a Juraj Kucka cross to finish off from close range after 15 minutes for his sixth league goal this season.
However, the 33-year-old then set up Andreas Cornelius, but the Danish striker missed in front of goal and third-place Inter hit back with two late goals to win.
Other notable African players in Europe included Gambia forward Musa Barrow, who sparked Bologna's revival after a four-match winless run with a 2-1 victory over Sampdoria.
Barrow converted a penalty after 72 minutes for his fourth goal since joining Bologna on loan from Atalanta in January.
Other notable African players in Europe included Ivory Coast international Jeremie Boga, who came off the bench at half-time and bagged a brace as Sassuolo fought back to salvage a 3-3 draw at the death at home against Hellas Verona.
Other notable African players in Europe included Nigeria striker Anthony Ujah, who tapped home from a goalmouth scramble to put his side on the road to a 3-0 victory over Fortuna Duesseldorf.
Ujah said his goal had special meaning as it helped former club Werder Bremen, who hammered Cologne 6-1, qualify for the relegation/promotion play-offs.
