EPL: Matchday 10 African Round Up

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

Eric Bailly of Manchester United speaks with Marcelino Garcia Toral, Manager of Valencia after the Group H match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester United and Valencia at Old Trafford on October 2, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 1, 2018 - Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)

Arguably Arsenal’s best players this season, Alex Iwobi and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could not lift their team over the line and achieve a 12th straight win against their opponents. Crystal Palace had their Ivorian forward, Wilfried Zaha who gave the defenders a torrid time during the course of the match. The match ended in a 2-2 draw in the London derby with Aubameyang claiming a goal after a controversial hand of God by the French forward, Alexandre Lacazette. Wilfried Zaha had a hand on the final result as he won a penalty for Palace which eventually led to an equalizer.

Manchester United vs Everton

Jose Mourinho’s men claimed a 2-1 victory at home. The Red Devils continue to look like a team on the up with some decent performances of late. Eric Bailly, however, continued his exile as he watched the match from the stands with Mourinho preferring Smalling and Lindelof at the back. The club also received an injury boost with the return of Marcos Rojo which leaves the Ivorian further down the pecking order.

Chelsea vs Burnley

Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Oxford United and Manchester City at Kassam Stadium on September 25, 2018 in Oxford, England.

(Sept. 24, 2018 - Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)

Maurizio Sari’s men were at their best against Sean Dyche’s Burnley on Sunday. They thumped the home team by 4 goals without return to stamp their authority in the title race. The former Nigerian international, Victor Moses could not make the bench even in the absence of the on-form Belgian international, Eden Hazard. It seems like history is repeating itself at the club for the African who was surplus to requirements to all the Chelsea coaches but Antonio Conte. The player was sent on loan countless times before the Italian showed faith in him. Victor Moses has to take some time to think about his situation at the club if he wants to save his career in football. The winger deserves better.

Tottenham vs Manchester City

Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester in action during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at The King Power Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom.

(Aug. 17, 2018 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Algerian forward Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal in the soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at the Wembley Stadium on the 29th of October, 2018. The new Manchester City forward has been preferred on the right side of the midfield by Pep Guardiola ahead of the likes of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane. He has started the last 5 matches across all competitions with a total of 4 goals and 1 assist. Mahrez is starting to regain that fear factor he had in Leicester City’s title winning year. With him, Manchester City are even stronger.

Leicester City vs West Ham

Leicester City came back from a goal down to draw 1-1 against 10-man West Ham United. The away team lost their captain, Mark Noble to a red card after a reckless tackle in the second half. Nigerian defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi came to the rescue for Leicester and scored a deflected shot from 30 yards out. The result of the match was overshadowed by the events that followed shortly after full-time. A tragic accident occurred near the staff car park at the King Power Stadium. A helicopter with 5 passengers crashed and burst into flames after Leicester City’s match against West Ham. Among the deceased was the owner of Leicester City,

UEFA Champions League Matchday 2: Our African Fantasy Five

The biggest European club competition commenced last Tuesday and we witnessed some stellar performances by individuals who have been in and out of their teams since the beginning of the 2018/19 season. These soccer players will be looking to continue their form into Matchday 2. But before we pop some popcorn and get ready for the second round, let's look at the five African players that stood out in the competition last week. Here is FirstTouch’s UEFA Champions League Fantasy 5. We have one goalkeeper, one defender, two midfielders and a striker uptop in a diamond formation.

Andre Onana of Ajax reacts during the Group E match of the UEFA Champions League between Ajax and AEK Athens at Johan Cruyff Arena on September 19, 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

(Sept. 18, 2018 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)

Andre Onana - Bayern Munich vs Ajax

We previewed the UEFA Champions League and identified Andre Onana as one of the Africans to watch out for in the competition. If you watched Ajax’s match against AEK Athens, you would understand why there is so much buzz around the youngster. The Cameroon international was at it again as he kept a clean sheet in his first outing of the UEFA Champions League tournament this season. He will surely look to maintain that and hopefully breakthrough into the conversation about the best young talents in the world.

Kwadwo Asamoah (R) of FC Internazionale is pulled by his shirt by Erik Lamela of Tottenham Hotspur during the Group B match of the UEFA Champions League between FC Internazionale and Tottenham Hotspur at San Siro Stadium on September 18, 2018 in Milan, Italy.

(Sept. 17, 2018 - Source: Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images Europe)

Kwadwo Asamoah - PSV Eindhoven vs Inter Milan

The versatile Ghanaian was preferred in the left back position for Inter Milan when they faced Tottenham. The defender grabbed this opportunity with both hands as he led his team to a solid 2-1 win. Asamoah and the defenders next to him had to be compact to keep out the dangers from inform striker Harry Kane and the resurged Lucas. This must have impressed Luciano Spalletti, the Inter Milan coach. He made 4 last ditch tackles in his own half before clearing the ball away from danger on 4 occasions.

Sadio Mane - Napoli vs Liverpool

The Senegalese international is ever consistent. Although he might not score goals on a regular basis, his work rate and chances he creates make up for his flaws. Mane was a constant threat to the Paris Saint Germain defenders. He completed 3 dribbles and made two key passes from the wing. You might remember him side-stepping Neymar, inarguably the overall best dribble from  matchday 1. His confidence to take on any defender means that he will always be a target for the defenders to foul him. Who doesn't need a pacy and trickery winger in their team? They can create something special from anything.

Hakim Ziyech of Ajax in action during the UEFA Champions League Play-off 1st leg match between Ajax and Dynamo Kiev held at Johan Cruyff Arena on August 22, 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

(Aug. 21, 2018 - Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)

Hakim Ziyech - Bayern Munich vs Ajax

One of the most important African playmakers in the present day. The Moroccan international orchestrated Ajax’s attacks against AEK Athens. He was also hungry for goals as he made 7 shots throughout the entire course of the game. His defense splitting passes is a must have to a fan who plays fantasy football. He adds a sure attacking threat to our UEFA Champions League Fantasy 5 as he complements the attack with his knack for a goal. A playmaker like him deserves a place in our team.

Vincent Aboubakar - Porto vs Galatasaray

None of the African strikers scored a goal on Matchday 1. The Porto striker is probably the one more likely to score in the next matches purely because of the amazing record of carrying his side into the last 16 in the previous campaign. We are hopeful that the Cameroonian will pick up their scoring boots and repay our faith in his abilities to be shortlisted in FirstTouch’s Fantasy 5 side.

Porto's Cameroonian forward Vincent Aboubakar kicks the ball during their UEFA Champions League group G football match FC Porto vs Monaco at the Dragao stadium in Porto, on December 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA

(Dec. 5, 2017 - Source: AFP)