African Players in Europe: Salah Takes Liverpool Back to Top

Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - November 2, 2024 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - November 2, 2024 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
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African Players in Europe: Salah Takes Liverpool Back to Top

Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - November 2, 2024 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - November 2, 2024 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)

Mohamed Salah took Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League with the winning goal as the Reds came from behind to defeat Brighton 2-1 at the weekend.

It was the ninth goal of the season in all competitions for the 32-year-old Egypt captain and two-time African Player of the Year.

The goal came amid continuing speculation over the future of Salah, with his contract due to expire at the end of this season.

Here, AFP Sport highlights some African headline-makers in the major European leagues.

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

The forward struck in the 72nd minute with a superb curling finish from the edge of the area. Liverpool are two points clear of second placed Manchester City after winning eight of their first 10 league games.

JORDAN AYEW (Leicester)

The Ghana forward was the Foxes' last-gasp hero again as he rescued a 1-1 draw at Ipswich. Steve Cooper's side were in danger of losing to winless Ipswich until Ayew came off the bench to strike from close-range deep in stoppage time. Ayew's third goal this season was his first since netting a stoppage-time winner in Leicester's 3-2 victory at Southampton in October.

ANTOINE SEMENYO (Bournemouth)

Ghana winger Semenyo helped the Cherries claim a shock 2-1 win against champions Manchester City. The 24-year-old netted in the ninth minute with a composed finish from Milos Kerkez's cut-back. It was the hosts first win against City at the 22nd attempt.

SPAIN

MUNIR EL HADDADI (Leganes)

Morocco international El Haddadi scored a brilliant goal against Girona in his team's 4-3 defeat. The 29-year-old Spain-born former Barcelona forward cut in from the right and launched a shot into the top corner from distance after 77 minutes having come off the bench just moments earlier. It was his second goal in two matches after netting for Leganes against Ciudad de Lucena in the Copa del Rey.

ITALY

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (Atalanta)

The London-born Nigerian international grabbed two goals as Atalanta stunned Serie A leaders Napoli 3-0 in the sunshine at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium. Lookman's second goal, a curled shot after shaking off two Napoli defenders, was particularly memorable.

GERMANY

OMAR MARMOUSH (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Marmoush was on fire again in Eintracht Frankfurt's 7-2 demolition of Bundesliga tailenders Bochum, with the Egyptian named man of the match after scoring one goal and creating two. The 25-year-old Egyptian international curled home a free kick on 18 minutes. He has scored 10 goals this season, one less than Bayern Munich and England star Harry Kane.

SERHOU GUIRASSY (Borussia Dortmund)

Guirassy scored the winner as Borussia inflicted a first Bundesliga defeat of the season on RB Leipzig with a 2-1 home win. Probably the only Dortmund player who can hold his head high after recent poor form, Guirassy was a constant threat up front. With the match locked at 1-1 and half an hour remaining, the Guinea international headed in Maximilian Beier's looping cross.

FRANCE

ABDOULAYE TOURE (Le Havre)

Toure played a captain's role by scoring the only goal as Le Havre defeated Montpellier 1-0 in a battle of Ligue 1's bottom two clubs. The France-born Guinea international, who was key in the club's promotion to the top flight for this season, struck from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute after Mali international full-back Falaye Sacko was penalized for handball.



West Ham Stick with Espirito Santo Despite Relegation from Premier League

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - May 24, 2026 West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts after the match REUTERS/Tony O Brien
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - May 24, 2026 West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts after the match REUTERS/Tony O Brien
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West Ham Stick with Espirito Santo Despite Relegation from Premier League

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - May 24, 2026 West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts after the match REUTERS/Tony O Brien
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - May 24, 2026 West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts after the match REUTERS/Tony O Brien

West Ham United have decided to keep manager Nuno Espirito Santo in charge of the London side despite their relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season, the club said on Wednesday.

West Ham finished 18th in the standings to drop down to the second-tier Championship for the first time since 2011.

"While the ultimate outcome on Sunday was a painful one, the Board of Directors believe that there have been broader signs of improvement and progress in recent months, and we want Nuno to continue developing that progress," Reuters quoted the ⁠club as saying in ⁠a statement.

West Ham ended the campaign with 19 defeats and 10 wins, finishing two points behind London rivals Tottenham Hotspur despite winning their final fixture 3-0 against Leeds United on Sunday as Spurs beat Everton 1-0 to stay up.

The writing was on the wall for West Ham when they lost ⁠three straight games earlier this month against Brentford, Arsenal and Newcastle United, leaving Spurs in control of their destiny on the final day.

The club said they held meetings with Espirito Santo earlier this week, with the Portuguese manager expressing his commitment to the club he joined in September on a three-year contract following the sacking of Graham Potter.

The board of directors added they had seen a "clear improvement in squad mentality and togetherness" since January, making the 52-year-old the ideal candidate ⁠to lead ⁠their promotion charge next season.

"Nuno made it very clear that he is highly motivated for the challenge of guiding West Ham United back to the top flight at the first time of asking. That must be the unquestionable goal for next season," the club added.

"Nuno has spent one previous year in the EFL Championship and it was an outstanding success as he secured 99 points to win the title with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2018."

West Ham also said they were reducing season ticket prices by up to 30% after their relegation.


Northern Ireland Boss O'Neill Extends Contract Until 2032

FILED - 26 March 2026, Italy, Bergamo: Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill applauds the fans after the 2026 FIFA World Cup European semi final qualifying soccer match between Italy and Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 26 March 2026, Italy, Bergamo: Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill applauds the fans after the 2026 FIFA World Cup European semi final qualifying soccer match between Italy and Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa
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Northern Ireland Boss O'Neill Extends Contract Until 2032

FILED - 26 March 2026, Italy, Bergamo: Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill applauds the fans after the 2026 FIFA World Cup European semi final qualifying soccer match between Italy and Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 26 March 2026, Italy, Bergamo: Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill applauds the fans after the 2026 FIFA World Cup European semi final qualifying soccer match between Italy and Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill has signed a four-year contract extension until 2032, the country's Football Association said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 56-year-old, who returned for a second spell in 2022 having left the team in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has managed a record-breaking 104 games for his side.

"This is a role that means a great deal to me," Reuters quoted him as saying.

"I continue to believe strongly in the potential of this group of players and the direction we ⁠are moving in. ⁠There is a lot of work ahead, but I am excited by the future."

O'Neill first took charge of Northern Ireland in 2011 and oversaw their qualification for Euro 2016 - the nation's first major international tournament in 30 years - where they were ⁠knocked out in the last 16.

He had also been appointed interim Blackburn Rovers manager in February, balancing the role alongside his Northern Ireland duties, but it was confirmed earlier this month that he would not take that job on a permanent basis.

Northern Ireland also missed out on a place at the World Cup after a 2-0 defeat by Italy in a UEFA play-off semi-final in March, ending ⁠their hopes ⁠of qualifying for the tournament for the first time since 1986.

Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood praised O'Neill's impact and said his contribution has been significant to the team.

"I am delighted that he will continue that work into the future and I look forward to more memorable achievements for the team," he said.

Northern Ireland face Guinea in a friendly on June 4 before travelling to France as part of preparations for the UEFA Nations League, which begins in September.


Lampard Lands England's Manager of the Year Award

Soccer Football - Championship - Coventry City Promotion Parade - Coventry, Britain - May 4, 2026 Coventry City manager Frank Lampard talks to the fans as he celebrates promotion to the Premier League REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Soccer Football - Championship - Coventry City Promotion Parade - Coventry, Britain - May 4, 2026 Coventry City manager Frank Lampard talks to the fans as he celebrates promotion to the Premier League REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
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Lampard Lands England's Manager of the Year Award

Soccer Football - Championship - Coventry City Promotion Parade - Coventry, Britain - May 4, 2026 Coventry City manager Frank Lampard talks to the fans as he celebrates promotion to the Premier League REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Soccer Football - Championship - Coventry City Promotion Parade - Coventry, Britain - May 4, 2026 Coventry City manager Frank Lampard talks to the fans as he celebrates promotion to the Premier League REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Frank Lampard has been named England's Manager of the Year by his peers after leading Coventry City back to the Premier League after a gap of a quarter of a century.

Coventry finished top of the second tier Championship by 11 points to return to the top flight, all while playing ⁠an attractive brand of ⁠attacking football.

Former England midfielder Lampard edged out seven other coaches, including Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, to take the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy at the League ⁠Managers Association (LMA) awards on Tuesday.

"Your personality as a manager and a leader is so clearly defined in how your team has played great football this season, with confidence and self-belief, and I've enjoyed watching them," Reuters quoted former Manchester United boss Ferguson as saying.

Spaniard Arteta was named Premier ⁠League ⁠manager of the Year at the awards after guiding Arsenal to their first league title in 22 years.

Andree Jeglertz took the Women's Super League Manager of the Year Award after his team won the league and reached Sunday's Women's FA Cup Final in his first season in charge.