Giant slayer & African studded Leicester take aim at Liverpool

The English Premier League enters matchday 24 from Tuesday all through Thursday, the 30th of January 2019. As usual, they are a couple of scintillating fixtures available to the lovers of the game but one stand out matchup should be that which has the Foxes of Leicester City visiting those “who will never walk alone,” the Reds of Anfield.

The narrative

Eden Hazard of Chelsea speaks to Mohamed Salah of Liverpool ahead of the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on September 26, 2018 in Liverpool, England.

(Sept. 25, 2018 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Liverpool enter this fixture sitting pretty at the top of the league, four points ahead of champions, Manchester City and have an opportunity to extend their lead to seven clear points. After a thoroughly entertaining and dominant first half of the season that saw the Reds complete 20 matches unbeaten, conceding only 8 goals and scoring the league’s second highest tally of 48 goals, they have had to recently learn how to grind results. Liverpool’s most recent 3 premier league matches have been far from convincing but have the word champions written all over them. After losing to Manchester City 2-1, Jurgen Klopp’s men had to dig deep at Brighton as they secured a precious 1-0 victory courtesy of the Egyptian, Mohamed Salah’s goal. They once again showed character and grit to narrowly see off Crystal Palace 4-3 at home, with Salah getting a brace to go top of the scoring charts ahead of African counterpart, Aubameyang. It won’t be any easier for the Reds who welcome struggling Leicester who have an impressive record of humbling the top sides of English football.

The Foxes have lost 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions and pressure may be once again mounting for their gaffer, Claude Puel. The last time Puel got under pressure of being sacked is when he pulled off the miracle of beating Chelsea 1-0 away from home and Manchester City, 2-1 in the following fixture. Now, they also have Manchester United and Tottenham waiting in line after the Liverpool game and won’t be letting all of the 3 pass by without securing at least a point.

“ The 22-year-old Nigerian is as consistent as they come and remains one of the EPL’s top tackling midfielders with a total of 72 tackles so far in this campaign. Only Senegal’s Idrissa Gueye has had more in the midfield position at 83 tackles and defenders, Ricardo Pereira and Wan Bissaka completing the top four tacklers list with 82 and 80 respectively. ”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Their arsenal

Wilfried Ndidi of Leicester in action during the pre-season friendly match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City at Molineux on July 29, 2017 in Wolverhampton, England.

(July 28, 2017 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

In recent weeks, tenth placed Leicester have had to rely heavily on the Nigerian international, Wilfried Ndidi in central midfield, who has been guiding relatively newcomers, Nampalys Mendy and Hamza Choudhury in that position. The 22-year-old Nigerian is as consistent as they come and remains one of the EPL’s top tackling midfielders with a total of 72 tackles so far in this campaign. Only Senegal’s Idrissa Gueye has had more in the midfield position at 83 tackles and defenders, Ricardo Pereira and Wan Bissaka completing the top four tacklers list with 82 and 80 respectively. Going up front, Leicester’s conservative approach that saw them register wins against Chelsea and City relied on the counter attacking pace of Jamie Vardy who has scored in all of his last 5 premier league appearances against Liverpool. Algerian, Rachid Ghezzal also provides width and commendable technical ability to the front line that is also supported by English international, James Maddison. Nigerian forward, Kelechi Iheanacho has always been a great backup plan to Vardy or an excellent supporting forward when asked to play with the former having already contributed 1 goal and 3 assists in 9 starts this campaign

Liverpool’s star studded squad needs no extra commendation, what they have achieved so far is reason enough not to doubt their devastating abilities. The Reds faithfuls will be happy to hear that Virgil Van Dijk and Wijnaldum could be available for selection after they had missed out training because of sickness and a knee problem. Mohamed Salah will be seeking more as he is now just 2 goals shy of becoming the fastest Liverpool player to reach 50 premier league goals, surpassing Fernando Torres who did it in 72 appearances. Salah has only played 49 matches, so far.

Why you should watch this one?

With all of Guinean Naby Keita, Senegalese Sadio Mane, Egyptian Mohamed Salah, Nigerian Wilfried Ndidi, Algerian Rachid Ghezzal and Super Eagles’ Kelechi Iheanacho available for selection, there is a huge prospect of witnessing an “AFCON 2019” warm up match away from the continent.

FT 2019 Preview: African aces to continue populating the Italian Serie A

“The 20-year-old defines the word potential. He has admirable upper body strength, ruthless in front of goal and described as one that almost glides on the turf by those who cannot take their eyes off him.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Since the days of Cameroonian legend, Samuel Eto’o in the colors of Inter Millan, the Italian Serie A has been shy of major African footballing icons shaking the world. This may not be the case any longer. The year 2018 witnessed a lot of booming and blossoming young footballers that are bound to grow and obviously usher in a fresh area of rapid rise of such players in the league.

Frank Kessie (R) of AC Milan is challenged by Kwadwo Asamoah of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 21, 2018 in Milan, Italy.

(Oct. 20, 2018 - Source: Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images Europe)

AC Millan’s Franck Kessie is one such player whom many may classify as a possible re-incarnation of Ghanaian Kwadwo Asamoah when he first appeared in Juventus’ black and white. Just like the younger Kwadwo, 22-year-old Kessie is a solid defensive midfielder who has earned Genaro Gattuso’s trust, starting all of Milan’s 18 matches in the league so far. We are only going to see more of such a promising player gifted with astute leadership qualities evident in things even as small as being handed the penalty taking duties for the team by Gattusso at such a tender age. In that same bracket, is 23-year-old Keita Balde featuring for the other Milan side on loan from Monaco. The Senegalese started the season slowly, sitting out matches but as the year came to close, he started giving a glimpse of what everyone has always seen in him from the get go. Balde has since scored 4 times and assisted 2 others in only 7 starts for Inter Milan. He is one that you can’t help but notice in the unfolding year as he steals the headlines. If you have never heard of the Gambian wonderkid, Musa Barrow who stole the headlines after rivalling age-mate Kylian Mbappe’s scoring record back in September, you shall, soon enough. The 20-year-old defines the word potential. He has admirable upper body strength, ruthless in front of goal and described as one that almost glides on the turf by those who cannot take their eyes off him. He might be going through a major goal drought since netting 4 times and assisting 2 others early in the season, but an individual of his ability cannot be robbed of stardom, this will serve as just an important learning curve. With Kessie having climbed up the ranks through Atalanta, there is no reason to suggest why Barrow will not do the same if not better it. His 14 goals in 19 appearances for Atalanta’s youth is one of the pieces of evidence why he deserves the faith that’s been put in him so far.

The above three and many others will likely continue claiming a stake among the Italian Serie A’s elite just as many other African stars have done in the premier league, celebrating the likes of Kwadwo, Koulibaly and Medhi Benatia who have come, saw and conquered the league.

Are Africans peaking in the English Premier League?

“The Egyptian King won the match ball after scoring a hatrick and gave away his Man Of The Watch Award to James Millner, who clocked 500 premier league appearances in the tie. Last season’s golden boot winner and first runners up to the FIFA Best Male Player of the Year award is finally silencing critics who labelled him a “one-time season wonder.””

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

We have had legendary African icons repping the continent in the world’s most watched club football league, the English Premier League. I am talking about the likes of Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, the tall striker in Nwanko Kanu and even the controversial Emmanuel Adebayor who represented both of the North London clubs in Arsenal and Tottenham. It’s easy to remember forwards, but they are not all of the Africans who played the game at the highest level. Do you remember Lauren? The Arsenal defender who owned the right wing of the famous “Invincibles” setup? More interestingly, now more than ever – it seems African players are reaching unprecedented levels. They are becoming the extra special toppings of the Premier League cake.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal FC looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Sporting CP and Arsenal at Estadio Jose Alvalade on October 25, 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal.

(Oct. 24, 2018 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Over the weekend, we once again saw Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the line for the Arsenal. Before that, in midweek, the Gabonese captain had two delightful chances of extending his lead at the top of the scoring charts and required perhaps the world’s best goalkeeper to deny him twice after two wonderfully worked shots. Over the weekend, he was also not on the scoring sheet but put in a solid striker performance, eventually serving up the only assist of the match as Lucas Torreira scored the only goal of the game. Arsenal consequently stayed close to top four positions and did not fall out any further away from the leading title challengers in Liverpool and Manchester City. Which other African is evidencing this peak?

Idrissa Gueye of Everton slides in to tackle Luciano Vietto of Fulham as Lucas Digne of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Fulham FC at Goodison Park on September 29, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 28, 2018 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)

Mohamed Salah was back amongst the goals, plenty goals for that matter as Liverpool walked away 4-0 winners at difficult Bournemouth, moving above City to the top of the standings. The Egyptian King won the match ball after scoring a hatrick and gave away his Man Of The Watch Award to James Millner, who clocked 500 premier league appearances in the tie. Last season’s golden boot winner and first runners up to the FIFA Best Male Player of the Year award is finally silencing critics who labelled him a “one-time season wonder.”

It’s not only the forwards that give us something to pride in but other players as well. For instance, Everton’s Idrissa Gueye is only second to Crystal Palace’s Wan Bissaka on tackles won this entire campaign. Twice as much as the likes of Arsenal’s heralded signing in Lucas Torreira or the FIFA World XI finalist in Ng’olo Kante. The Senegalese is still pretty much an underrated midfield gem.

Conclusively, just looking at the premier league scoring charts and seeing Aubameyang and Salah tied at the top with ten goals each just goes a long way in highlighting the immediate dominance of Africans in the English Premier League.

FT Sideline: Why has Aubameyang been so prolific?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal looks on during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Sporting CP and Arsenal at Estadio Jose Alvalade on October 25, 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal.

(Oct. 24, 2018 - Source: David Ramos/Getty Images Europe)

There is no use trying to make a case why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one of the best strikers in the world, simply because everyone knows and vehemently agree. It’s a better use of time exploring what makes him tick, with the hope that such attributes can be learned and passed down to future generations of African and global strikers at large.

It is know that modern strikers usually go through what is famously knowns as a “goal drought,” September used to be a boogey month for Harry Kane, Suarez is relatively going through a drought right now at Barcelona despite the impressive overall performances, Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku and the list goes on and on. The point is that the barren periods are almost part and parcel of a striker’s package. But, that’s not Aubameyang. The Gabonese captain has been scoring at least 30 goals a season since 2015 at Borussia Dortmund and before that, as a developing footballer in France and other places, he would hit at least half of the thirty goals. He was never an out and out striker to begin with, he just recently developed this goal scoring wit and has never looked back. But why is he immune to the droughts? Why is he so prolific?

Here are two simple reasons why:

1. Simplicity, the ultimate sophistication

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League Group E match between Arsenal and Vorskla Poltava at Emirates Stadium on September 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 19, 2018 - Source: Henry Browne/Getty Images Europe)

It’s modern “wisdom” that a good striker should contribute to overall play of the team, tracking back to help with defensive duties on set pieces, holding up play, taking on defenders, laying up assists for teammates and many other things. Harry Kane is increasingly becoming a member of this bracket after criticism of “selfishness,” Alexandre Lacazette is Arsenal’s version of that “modern striker” and Suarez is not a stranger to such duties at Barcelona. Now, Auba is different. The 29 year-old knows how to score goals and fundamentally sticks to that. His dribbling game is not the best nor is his hold-up play. He usually goes “missing” when his team is on the ropes but at any moment, with the slightest of chances - he can ripple the net. The African striker’s winner over the weekend which bagged all three points for Arsenal resembles this attribute of coming out of nowhere to turn the tide in the favor of his colors. Joking with his teammate, Sead Kolasinac who was the assist provider on the day, Auba even posted on instagram about how he loves tap in goals. He is the kind of guy who does not clutter his game with a lot of “best practices” or “modern tactics” but does one thing well enough to dominate the rest. No wonder he is currently joint-top scorer with Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero in the Premier League tied at 8 goals for the campaign. It’s this “one dimensional” play that has enabled him to reach 20 goals in 31 matches for the Gunners, quicker than the time Thierry Henry or legend Ian Wright took.

2. Lightning pace

Lightning and Auba usually go in the same sentence because he is that quick. EA Sports didn’t rate him the fastest play on FIFA 18 for no reason. It is this pace that aids him to latch on crosses the quickest and make a meal of no ingredients at all. Those tap in goes and numerous strikes inside the box, it’s never because defenders do not know what he will probably do, they just can’t catch him.

“Auba even posted on instagram about how he loves tap in goals. He is the kind of guy who does not clutter his game with a lot of “best practices” or “modern tactics” but does one thing well enough to dominate the rest. No wonder he is currently joint-top scorer with Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Conclusively, Arsenal look like they are more than sorted in their attack with Lacazette complimenting the Gabonese in numerous ways. They will however need to continuously learn to play to his strengths if they are going to get the most out of the Gabonese international.

UCL Matchday 5: Five Africans key to the week's turning points

It’s matchday five of the 2018/19 champions league season and teams are closer to securing knockout stage qualification or getting eliminated than they were a few match-days ago. There are a number of Africans who have been grabbing headlines in Europe’s elite club competition we have been covering thus far, such as Moussa Marega, Kalidou Koulibaly, Andre Onana and more. Of special interest are the following five who are super critical to the fate of their clubs this champions league week.

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Liverpool FC at Vicarage Road on November 24, 2018 in Watford, United Kingdom.

(Nov. 23, 2018 - Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe)

Mohamed Salah

Last season’s UCL finalists, Liverpool, find themselves in a precarious position in group C with only two matches left, of which one is this week’s trip to Parc de Princes. PSG are too proud to entertain the idea of missing out on a knockout stage qualification and even more so by losing home and away to Liverpool. The Reds will have to count on their Egyptian talisman or Senegal’s Sadio Mane to deliver the goods on a difficult away match if they are to stay alive in the champions league.

Hakim Ziyech

The top man in the Dutch Eredivisie who was also at the top of his game in Morocco’s 2-0 hammering of Cameroon in the 2019 AFCON qualifiers as he scored all the goals in that match will be called upon again on Tuesday. A win against winless AEK Athens will guarantee qualification and the 25-year-old playmaker has the magic wand to inspire that.

Geoffrey Kondogbia

Manchester United’s surprising win in Turin meant that Valencia’s hopes of reaching the round of 16 got slimmer. The Spanish La Liga side will travel to Italy to face Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus who are yet to confirm their qualification and eager to put the United loss behind them. If Valencia is to stay alive, given that United welcome bottom of the group, Young Boys at Old Trafford, Central African Republic’s Geoffrey Kondogbia will be key in locking that midfield and establishing a base of hope for the Bats.

Geoffrey Kondogbia of Valencia is challenged by Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United during 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: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Kwadwo Asamoah

Tottenham are on a high after handing Chelsea their first defeat of the season on Saturday. Their slim champions league hopes rest on a must-win encounter against Inter Milan on Wednesday at Wembley. The 29-year-old Ghanaian, Kwadwo will be required to nullify the threat from the right wing that usually come in form of crosses by either Trippier or Ivorian, Serge Aurier. Such crosses have become the hallmark of Spurs’ game and Kwadwo will be required to be on the job throughout the 90.

Marvelous Nakamba

Belgium’s Club Brugge are not down and out in the champions league. If they are to pull an upset in a group where Atletico Madrid and Dortmund are expected to progress, they have to get a result on Wednesday when they travel to Germany. Zimbabwe’s Marvelous Nakamba who has become the proper steel in Club Brugge’s central midfield will have to be called upon to work overtime on the day to stop the likes of Jadon Sancho, Paco Alcacer, Mario Gotze and Marco Reus.

Who do you have? We got the week’s big five listed above. It’s going to be lit.

UCL Matchday 5: Lyon's African cast set to slow Man City's momentum

“All of Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore, Mousa Dembele of Malian descent, Fekir of Algerian descent, Ndombele of Congolese heritage, Ivory Coast’s Maxwell Cornet and the inform Dutch forward in Memphis Depay will all be options available to take the game to City.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Manchester City’s first and only defeat in the 2018/19 football season came against Olympique Lyonnais back in September at the Etihad. It was an opening group match of the UEFA Champions League campaign where Nabil Fekir, Ivory Coast’s Maxwell Cornet and Memphis Depay were at the centre of proceedings as the Ligue 1 outfit registered an impressive unlikely victory. It’s on again, Pep Guardiola’s City have a chance to exact some revenge or to be humbled once more as they take flight to France on Tuesday.

Maxwell Cornet of Lyon celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with his team mates during the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 18, 2018 - Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe)

The notion of Manchester City assuming the status of Europe’s most deadly team is not so far fetched now. After a record breaking title winning premier league season last year, they look to be continuing from where they left from. It’s difficult to find any other club in Europe’s top leagues that has been equally as impressive. Of course Lyon’s league mates in PSG are still spotless but then you would have to consider the context. It is matches like the loss against Lyon or the one against Liverpool in the UCL quarter-finals last season that cast some doubts on Manchester City as a whole and their standing amongst Europe’s elite clubs. If there are matches that are more important to Manchester City and their continued successes, it’s such a continental match against Lyon that they have proven to easily lose in recent times. They will be heading into this one fully aware of the need to tighten their grip on so called lesser teams.

On the other hand, second placed Lyon, both in the champions league group F and on the French Ligue 1 standings will be a tough opposition. They may be far off the pace from PSG in the domestic league but are still yet to lose a game in the UCL this campaign. They are three points off City and face convincing opposition from Hoffenheim who also look keen on the champions league knockout spots. Of major interest, will be Lyon’s African blended attacking setup that proved to be a difficult presentation for City in the last time out. All of Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore, Mousa Dembele of Malian descent, Fekir of Algerian descent, Ndombele of Congolese heritage, Ivory Coast’s Maxwell Cornet and the inform Dutch forward in Memphis Depay will all be options available to take the game to City.

It’s a must watch, loads of fun on show and ofcourse, we will be closely following it.

UCL Matchday 3: How did the African players fare?

Bertrand Traore from Lyon celebrates scoring second goal with his team mates during the match between SL Benfica v Lyon for the International Champions Cup - Eusebio Cup 2018 at Estadio do Algarve on August 1, 2018 in Faro, Portugal.

(July 31, 2018 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

As always, we once again bring you up to date with the latest action that involved African players in the biggest club competition in the world, the UEFA Champions League. Find out who did what in the summaries below:

Ajax 1 - 0 Benfica

Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech and Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana played the full 90 minutes as Ajax recorded a narrow victory over Portuguese side, Benfica. The win took them to the top of group E, tied with Bayern Munich on seven points, with a very good chance to progress to the next round.

Hoffenheim 3 - 3 Lyon

A thrilling encounter in Germany saw Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore grab the headlines as he opened his Champions League scoring account with Lyon’s first before setting up the French midfielder of Congolese descent, Tanguy Ndombele for the French club’s second of the match. Early signs show that Lyon and Hoffenheim might have to go to war the second qualifying spot in group F though it’s still an open group with Shakhtar Donetsk and Man City in the fight as well.

Milan Borjan of FK Crvena Zvezda saves a shot from Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the Group C match of the UEFA Champions League between Liverpool and FK Crvena Zvezda at Anfield on October 24, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 23, 2018 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Club Brugge 1 - 1 Monaco

Zimbabweans will be pleased to hear that Marvelous Nakamba anchored the Belgian side’s midfield as they fought to a 1-1 draw at home against Thierry Henry’s Monaco on his champions league managerial debut. Of course Club Brugge and Monaco are still anchored at the bottom of group A with a point apiece but still in the running for the knockout stage spots.

Dortmund 4 - 0 Atletico

The men in gold and yellow seem to be back to their electric years when they set the world ablaze with some dynamic football under Jurgen Klopp. The return of the prodigal child, Mario Gotze from Bayern Munich to reignite the Gotze Reus combination that once sent tongues wagging, is well in order. Unbeaten and top of the Bundesliga, BVB have carried this form to the champions league. Yesternight, they ran riot on Diego Simeone’s ever resilient Atletico Madrid, handing them their heaviest defeat in European competition, a 4-0 hammering. This time, they were no Paco Alcacer goals for Borussia Dortmund but a hatrick of assists by the Moroccan teenager, Achraf Hakimi Mouh, on loan from Real Madrid.

Moussa Marega celebrates with Yacine Brahimi of FC Porto after scores the second goal during the Primeira Liga match between FC Porto and Feirense at Estadio do Dragao on May 6, 2018 in Porto, Portugal.

(May 5, 2018 - Source: Octavio Passos/Getty Images Europe

Liverpool 4 - 0 Red Star Belgrade

The story of the day once again involved Mohamed Salah who scored a brace at Anfield to reach 50 career goals for Liverpool in 65 appearances, the fastest half a century of goals by any player in the history of Liverpool. Senegalese international, Sadio Mane, was also on target even though he missed a penalty and so was Brazilian, Roberto Firmino. Fans of the infamous FAB 3 could have been delighted at the showing but caution, with no disrespect intended, it’s only Red Star Belgrade who also got hammered 6-1 by PSG

Lokomotiv Moscow 1 - 3 Porto

Algerian, Yacine Brahimi served up an assist and Malian forward Moussa Marega was amongst the goals as Porto grabbed a victory in Russia. Porto are now top of the standings in group D and look most certainly guaranteed a round of 16 spot.

What was your favorite moment of the UCL matchday 3?