The African 11 of the week (from May 03 to 10)
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Saïd Benrahma (Algeria – West Ham)
Back in the Hammers’ starting lineup on Sunday on the Norwich lawn, Saïd Benrahma did more than return the confidence given by his coach David Moyes. After opening the scoring from the start of a shot from the right, the native of Aïn Temouchent doubled the lead with a superb volley in added time of the first half. This former OGC Nice player brings his total for the season to eight in the Premier League.
Perhaps a start of revenge for Saïd Benrahma, whom his coach had reframed last February, after Fennec had a clash with him following a substitution during the game. “I want Saïd to be a team player. , he already is, I want him to create and score goals, he has to understand when to dribble, pass and keep the ball. These are the key elements for Saïd, ”said David Moyes. The message seems to have passed.
The 11 African type of the week (4/4/2)
Goalkeeper: Munir Mohamedi (Morocco – Hatayspor)
Against the Turkish champion, Trabzonspor, Munir Mohamedi distinguished himself from the start by diverting the penalty from Bakasetas. Author of four subsequent saves, the one who played the 2018 World Cup with the Atlas Lions allowed his team to gain confidence and snatch a draw despite the goal conceded (1-1). With eight games without conceding a goal, the native of Melilla is one of the sure values of Süper Lig in his position.
Right-back: Alex Iwobi (Nigeria – Everton)
Established in the right lane, Alex Iwobi justified the choice of his coach by serving Mykolenko for the opener on Sunday in Leicester (1-2). In this important match for the maintenance of the Toffees, the Super Eagle did not fail in an unusual defensive position for him, and took his part in the victory of his team.
Central defender: Joseph Okumu (Kenya – La Gantoise)
Joseph Okumu scored the winning goal late in the game against Mechelen (1-0), the first of his season in the Belgian top flight. Having become a must in the rear of Gantoise since his arrival from Sweden last summer, the large size (1m94) had previously saved his camp three minutes from the break. Doubly decisive therefore, the Kenyan international had been called up to the Harambee Stars before CAN 2019 when he was playing in the American third division.
Central defender: Joseph Aidoo (Ghana – Celta Vigo)
Safe and focused, Joseph Aidoo did his job well in Celta Vigo’s big win over Deportivo Alaves (4-0). Returning to selection in March after being dismissed at the start of the year for the CAN, this former member of the International Allies club in the greater suburbs of Accra has for mentor the former defender of Bayern Munich, Sammy Kuffour.
Left-back: Zaidu Sanusi (Nigeria – FC Porto)
History will remember that Zaidu Sanusi scored the title goal for FC Porto on Saturday on the pitch of their great rival Benfica (1-0). The Super Eagle rattled the net following a counter-attack in added time to give the Dragons an unrecoverable nine-point lead with one game remaining in the Championship.
Right attacking midfielder: Omar Marmoush (Egypt – Stuttgart)
In an important game in view of maintaining against Bayern Munich, Omar Marmoush put VfB Stuttgart on track for a good result (2-2) by delivering the decisive pass to Tiago Tomas on the opener. Replaced at the break for tactical reasons, the Pharaoh could have done even better by winning his duel against Neuer. Finalist of the last CAN, the former Wadi Degla will have made good use of his loan, he who arrived last summer from Wolfsburg.
Defensive midfielder: Seko Fofana (Ivory Coast – Lens)
Technical leader often, effort leader always, Seko Fofana was once again the main driver of RC Lens, Sunday in Reims (1-2). The captain of the Sang et Or pulled away to score a goal that no one was expecting in added time in the second period. The one who put the Ivorian national team on hold last year has still made people appreciate his quality of percussion.
Defensive midfielder: Geoffrey Kondogbia (Central African Republic – Atlético Madrid)
One of the best in the field, Sunday during the Madrid derby on the lawn of the Wanda Metropolitano, Geoffrey Kondogbia multiplied in the midfield, cutting many trajectories and improving as many balloons. In reserve for the Central African national team since last summer, the one the Spaniards have nicknamed « El Pulpo » (the octopus) reserves his answer as to an upcoming return to the Fauves.
Left attacking midfielder: Saïd Benrahma (Algeria – West Ham)
Back in the Hammers’ starting lineup on Sunday on the Norwich lawn, Saïd Benrahma did more than return the confidence given by his coach David Moyes. After opening the scoring from the start of a shot from the right, the native of Aïn Temouchent doubled the lead with a superb volley in added time of the first half. This former OGC Nice player brings his total for the season to eight in the Premier League.
Forward: Didier Lamkel Zé (Cameroon – Metz)
Didier Lamkel Zé took care of everything on Sunday when FC Metz won over Olympique Lyonnais (3-2). Very mobile and available, the Cameroonian striker opens the scoring with a subtle dive at the conclusion of a counter-attack. It was then he who caused the expulsion of defender Thiago Mendes. Arrived this winter after an express loan to Khimki, in Russia, the player trained at the Academy of Brasseries in Cameroon is doing good to the Garnets.
Forward: Sadio Mané (Senegal – Liverpool)
Replaced in the middle in the second half after Colombian Luis Diaz came into play, Sadio Mané was one of the architects of the reversal of the situation operated by Liverpool last Tuesday on the lawn of Villarreal. After delivering a goal ball, missed by Diaz, the African champion took advantage of a totally missed outing by goalkeeper Rulli to score the winning goal for the Reds, qualified for the Champions League final.
