African Players in Europe: Marmoush, Sarr Strike in FA Cup Wins

Manchester City's Egyptian striker #07 Omar Marmoush (C) shoots to score their second goal during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, on the south coast of England on March 30, 2025. (AFP)
Manchester City's Egyptian striker #07 Omar Marmoush (C) shoots to score their second goal during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, on the south coast of England on March 30, 2025. (AFP)
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African Players in Europe: Marmoush, Sarr Strike in FA Cup Wins

Manchester City's Egyptian striker #07 Omar Marmoush (C) shoots to score their second goal during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, on the south coast of England on March 30, 2025. (AFP)
Manchester City's Egyptian striker #07 Omar Marmoush (C) shoots to score their second goal during the English FA Cup quarter-final football match between Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, on the south coast of England on March 30, 2025. (AFP)

Egyptian Omar Marmoush and Senegalese Ismaila Sarr scored to help Manchester City and Crystal Palace secure FA Cup semi-finals places at the weekend.

Marmoush netted his fifth goal for City since a January move from Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth.

Back in England after Africa Cup of Nations qualifying duty, Sarr put Palace two goals ahead en route to a 3-0 London derby victory at Fulham.

Here, AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the FA Cup and major European leagues:

ENGLAND

OMAR MARMOUSH (Manchester City)

He came off the bench to send City into the semi-finals with the second-half winner at Bournemouth. Pep Guardiola's side, who will face Nottingham Forest at Wembley in April, trailed to Evanilson's first-half strike in the quarter-final. Erling Haaland levelled in the 49th minute before Marmoush netted in the 63rd minute as he took Nico O'Reilly's flick and fired past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

ISMAILA SARR (Crystal Palace)

Sarr helped the Eagles reach the semi-finals with the second goal in their victory at Fulham. Eberechi Eze put Palace ahead in the first half before Sarr struck in the 38th minute. Eze skipped down the left and whipped an inch-perfect cross to Sarr, who evaded his marker and headed past Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno for his ninth goal in all competitions this season. Palace will play Aston Villa in the semi-finals as they look to reach the final for the first time since 2016.

SPAIN

PATHE CISS (Rayo Vallecano)

Senegalese midfielder Ciss produced a brilliant header to put Vallecano ahead against Alaves in their 2-0 win. The 31-year-old made a darting run to the near post and flashed a header across goal and into the top corner. It was his third goal of the season in La Liga and he is playing an important role in Rayo's push for European football.

ITALY

ZITO LUVUMBO (Cagliari)

The 23-year-old Angola winger, in his fifth season at Cagliari, scored in injury time of his team's 3-0 win over rock-bottom Monza to help ease relegation fears. Cagliari are now six points above the Serie A drop zone. Gianluca Gaetano, who had scored the second goal, created the opportunity for Luvumbo with a long over-the-top through ball.

GERMANY

AMINE ADLI, VICTOR BONIFACE (Bayer Leverkusen)

Nigerian Boniface and Moroccan Adli scored in the second half as defending Bundesliga champions Leverkusen came from behind to win 3-1 at home to relegation-threatened Bochum. Boniface converted a cross with his knee on 60 minutes and Adli slid the ball into the net with three minutes of regular time remaining.

ELIAS SAAD (St Pauli)

Tunisian Saad temporarily silenced supporters of league leaders Bayern Munich by equalizing midway through the first half of a match his club eventually lost 3-2 to lie three points above the relegation zone. Saad moved unnoticed into the Bayern area and tapped the ball into the net.

FRANCE

ABDOULAYE TOURE (Le Havre)

The Guinea midfielder scored a pair of first-half penalties as Le Havre beat Nantes 3-2 to end an eight-match winless run at home and boost their Ligue 1 survival hopes. Toure, who started both of his nation's World Cup qualifiers this month, is his club's top scorer this season with seven goals after netting four times in the past three games.



Iran Awaiting FIFA Response on World Cup Venue Switch

 FIFA game balls are seen on the field ahead of a friendly football match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
FIFA game balls are seen on the field ahead of a friendly football match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
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Iran Awaiting FIFA Response on World Cup Venue Switch

 FIFA game balls are seen on the field ahead of a friendly football match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on March 31, 2026. (AFP)
FIFA game balls are seen on the field ahead of a friendly football match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on March 31, 2026. (AFP)

Iran's government will only decide on ‌the national team's participation in the World Cup once they receive a response from FIFA over the relocation of their matches, the country's Minister of Sport Ahmad Donyamali said.

Iran's football federation (FFIRI) has been pushing to move the team's three World Cup group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, citing American military involvement alongside Israel in strikes that sparked an ongoing war in the region.

FFIRI said last month they were in discussions with FIFA about a venue switch, while Iran's sports ministry has banned national and club sports teams from ‌travelling to countries ‌it considers hostile until further notice.

FIFA president Gianni ‌Infantino ⁠said last week, ⁠however, that Iran would play their matches as scheduled.

"Our request to FIFA to relocate Iran's games from the US to Mexico is still valid, but we have not yet received a response," Donyamali told Turkish state news agency Anadolu in an interview published at the weekend.

"If accepted, Iran's participation in the World Cup will be certain. ⁠However, FIFA has not yet responded.

"As the Minister of ‌Sports, together with the Iranian football ‌federation, we will keep the football team ready for the World Cup. ‌However, the final decision will be made by our government."

Iran are ‌scheduled to play all of their Group G matches on American soil -- against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles before their final fixture against Egypt in Seattle.

US President Donald Trump said last month that while ‌Iran's national team were welcome to play in the US, it might not be appropriate for their "life ⁠and safety".

He ⁠later made it clear that any threat to players would not come from the United States.

"According to FIFA's relevant regulations, security must be provided in the country concerned," Donyamali added. "However, the World Cup is taking place soon, and providing guarantees during this period is questionable.

"Under these circumstances, the possibility of Iran participating in the World Cup matches in the US is very low. But, if the relevant security guarantees are provided, our government will make the decision on Iran's participation in the World Cup."

FIFA did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

The World Cup takes place in the US, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.


Harry Maguire Signs Contract Extension at Man United

 Soccer Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 England's Harry Maguire looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Soccer Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 England's Harry Maguire looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Harry Maguire Signs Contract Extension at Man United

 Soccer Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 England's Harry Maguire looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Soccer Football - International Friendly - England v Japan - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain- March 31, 2026 England's Harry Maguire looks dejected after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)

Harry Maguire signed a one-year contract extension at Manchester United on Tuesday, with the option of a further 12 months.

The England defender was due to be out of contract at the end of the season.

“Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad," director of football Jason Wilcox said.

Maguire joined United from Leicester in 2019 for $97 million, which was a world-record transfer for a defender. He has won the FA Cup and League Cup with the club and has made 266 appearances.

The 33-year-old center-back looked set to leave in 2023 after losing his position under former manager Erik ten Hag. He has since established himself as a key figure and has earned a recall to the England squad ahead of the World Cup.

“Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honor. It is a responsibility that makes myself and my family proud every single day," he said. “I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together."


Fan Dies After Cardiac Arrest at German Bundesliga Football Game

05 April 2026, Hesse, Frankfurt_Main: Emergency medical response in the stands during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FC Cologne at Deutsche Bank Park. (dpa)
05 April 2026, Hesse, Frankfurt_Main: Emergency medical response in the stands during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FC Cologne at Deutsche Bank Park. (dpa)
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Fan Dies After Cardiac Arrest at German Bundesliga Football Game

05 April 2026, Hesse, Frankfurt_Main: Emergency medical response in the stands during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FC Cologne at Deutsche Bank Park. (dpa)
05 April 2026, Hesse, Frankfurt_Main: Emergency medical response in the stands during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and 1. FC Cologne at Deutsche Bank Park. (dpa)

A long-time Eintracht Frankfurt supporter died in hospital, aged 87, hours after suffering a cardiac arrest in the stadium during a German Bundesliga game, the club said Tuesday.

The stadium fell silent as paramedics worked to revive the man, who hasn't been named, during the second half of Frankfurt's 2-2 draw with Cologne on Sunday.

“The 87-year-old, who was a long-standing member of the club and had held a season ticket for many years, suffered a cardiac arrest during the match. Although he was successfully resuscitated at the scene, his condition could not be stabilized,” Frankfurt said.

“Our thoughts and sympathy are with his family and friends. We would like to thank the emergency services for their efforts to save the life of our supporter, which were ultimately in vain, and we thank all the fans and visitors for their sensitivity in supporting these efforts.”

In October, another fan died after falling ill while entering the stadium at a German Cup game between Leipzig and Energie Cottbus.

The atmosphere was hushed at Cottbus’ stadium as both sets of supporters refrained from chants following an announcement about the incident.