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African Players in Europe: Goals for Salah, Beto in Merseyside Derby

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah greets fans after the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Liverpool in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah greets fans after the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Liverpool in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP)
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African Players in Europe: Goals for Salah, Beto in Merseyside Derby

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah greets fans after the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Liverpool in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah greets fans after the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Liverpool in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP)

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah scored for Liverpool and Guinea-Bissau striker Beto for Everton in the Merseyside derby which the Reds won 2-1 at the weekend.

Salah, who will leave Anfield at the end of the season, claimed his seventh Premier League goal this season. Beto has netted nine times in all competitions.

Victory strengthened Liverpool's push for a Champions League place. They occupy the fifth and final qualifying spot, seven points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea with five matches to play.

AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues:

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

Salah opened the scoring for last season's champions, slotting home in the first half following a superbly weighted pass from Cody Gakpo. He equaled Steven Gerrard's nine goals to become the joint top-scorer in the league fixture between the Merseyside teams.

BETO (Everton)

Everton equalized 10 minutes into the second half when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall crossed and Beto poked the ball into the net ahead of onrushing goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was stretchered off.

GERMANY

NICOLAS JACKSON (Bayern Munich)

Starting in place of Harry Kane, Jackson scored Bayern's second as they came from a goal down to beat Stuttgart 4-2 and clinch the Bundesliga title. With the sides locked at 1-1, Jackson latched onto a Luis Diaz assist and his powerful shot put Bayern in front. The Senegal striker, on a season-long loan from Chelsea, has six goals and two assists in the league.

YAN DIOMANDE (RB Leipzig)

Leipzig winger Diomande's stock continued to rise after scoring another stunning solo goal in a 3-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt. The Ivory Coast forward dribbled laterally past five defenders before slamming a superb strike across the goal and into the net. Only 19, Diomande has 12 goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga this season.

SERHOU GUIRASSY (Borussia Dortmund)

Guirassy's 14th league goal of the season was not enough as Borussia Dortmund lost 2-1 at Hoffenheim. With three minutes remaining, Guirassy hit a low shot from outside the box to equalize only for Hoffenheim to secure the points with a late penalty.

FRANCE

BAMBA DIENG (Lorient)

The Senegalese striker continued his superb run of form by scoring the second goal for Lorient in their 2-0 defeat of his former side Marseille. Dieng has scored 14 goals in all competitions for Lorient this season, including 11 in 2026. He recently returned to the Senegal squad and will hope his form ensures he goes to the World Cup finals.

MOSTAFA MOHAMED (Nantes)

The Egyptian is hoping to go to the World Cup with his country, but before that he must try to save Nantes from what looks like certain relegation. He put his team ahead with a fourth goal of the season but Nantes could only draw 1-1 at home to Brest, a result which leaves them five points adrift of the relegation play-off spot and nine points from outright safety with five games remaining. Next up is a midweek trip to leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

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Sports

Sinner’s Mastery Mindset Makes Him Man to Beat as Clay Swing Intensifies

Laureus World Sports Awards - Palacio de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain - April 20, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses on the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony. (Reuters)
Laureus World Sports Awards - Palacio de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain - April 20, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses on the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony. (Reuters)
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Sinner’s Mastery Mindset Makes Him Man to Beat as Clay Swing Intensifies

Laureus World Sports Awards - Palacio de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain - April 20, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses on the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony. (Reuters)
Laureus World Sports Awards - Palacio de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain - April 20, 2026 Italy's Jannik Sinner poses on the red carpet ahead of the awards ceremony. (Reuters)

Jannik Sinner was once viewed as an explosive talent custom-built for hardcourt tennis but the four-times Grand Slam champion's assiduous work on his patience and control has made him the man to beat on clay heading into the French Open.

It had long been assumed that in his era-defining rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner would scoop up more Grand Slam titles on faster surfaces while the Spaniard would have the edge on red dirt.

Alcaraz, who has won seven majors, remains a formidable claycourt player and is the reigning Roland Garros champion but lost to Sinner in the Monte Carlo final earlier this month. He then suffered a wrist injury in Barcelona that has disrupted his preparations for Paris.

Sinner's progression will continue this week ‌in Madrid, which ‌is at a higher altitude than the other European clay venues ‌and ⁠quickens the pace ⁠of the surface, offering another opportunity for the 24-year-old to showcase his adaptability.

"Here it's a very unique playing style," Sinner said.

"It's a very high altitude and it can be windy at times, so it's very difficult to play. But I think every different kind of claycourt can help me as I'm trying to improve as a player."

Results at the big tournaments seemingly offer little to choose between Sinner and Alcaraz over the last couple of years but former player and sports psychologist Jeff Greenwald believes he has identified some ⁠subtle differences emerging.

"Sinner, even more than Alcaraz, has this unflappable demeanor that ‌is built from this deep love and appreciation of the process," ‌Greenwald told Reuters.

"He's the poster child for mastery, a desire to be as good as he can be, ‌which overrides the ever fluctuating, short-term obsession with this point, this win, that is almost always ‌trading the short-term result for longer-term success."

DECISIVE ADVANTAGES

That focus on mastery over moments has steadily reshaped Sinner's approach on clay, where his tactical discipline and ability to handle uncertainty are standing out as decisive advantages ahead of the French Open, which begins on May 24.

Sinner's mental strength could be tested in a different way as he confronts ‌the weight of expectation that comes with being seen by many as the favorite rather than the challenger over the next few weeks.

Greenwald said ⁠expectations were the most ⁠natural, yet potentially damaging, distractions for even great players.

"They try to not get preoccupied by them with the 'process mindset' as best they can but most of the players are vulnerable to this reality, given that their livelihoods are on the line," he added.

"This is where Sinner has an advantage ... he didn't develop this (mindset) after becoming successful. It was baked into his training and development. So whether he's labelled a favorite by the media and other players, this will not affect him.

"More than anything, it'll only solidify the confidence, remarkable resilience and joy he brings to every match."

If Alcaraz is fit to play, the French Open could prove a major mental test for Sinner after he lost to his great rival in last year's epic title clash.

However, with the career Grand Slam on the line for the Italian, he wants Alcaraz to be on the other side of the net at Roland Garros.

"When you want to win, you want to do it by beating the best and he's among them," Sinner said.

Sports

Mexico to Beef Up Security at Tourist Sites after Shooting at Pyramids in Lead Up to World Cup

National Guard troops patrol the Teotihuacan pyramids, which remained closed a day after a gunman opened fire on tourists at the archaeological site outside Mexico City, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
National Guard troops patrol the Teotihuacan pyramids, which remained closed a day after a gunman opened fire on tourists at the archaeological site outside Mexico City, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
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Mexico to Beef Up Security at Tourist Sites after Shooting at Pyramids in Lead Up to World Cup

National Guard troops patrol the Teotihuacan pyramids, which remained closed a day after a gunman opened fire on tourists at the archaeological site outside Mexico City, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
National Guard troops patrol the Teotihuacan pyramids, which remained closed a day after a gunman opened fire on tourists at the archaeological site outside Mexico City, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Mexico’s government said it was beefing up security at tourist sites after a man opened fire on tourists at pyramids outside of Mexico City less than two months before the FIFA World Cup.

The Monday shooting, carried out by a lone gunman on top of one of the Teotihuacan pyramids — a UNESCO Heritage Site and one of Mexico's most frequented tourist attractions — killed one Canadian tourist and injured a dozen more.

It also set off a flurry of questions the next morning by reporters to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum about what security protocols her government was taking ahead of the sports competition, which Mexico will jointly host with the United States and Canada over the summer.

About an hour from Mexico City, Teotihuacan was slated to be a key site for visitors during the festivities. Just days before the shooting, local lawmakers even pushed forward an initiative to revive a nighttime interactive light show projected on the pyramids for World Cup visitors, which was previous suspended at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The unexpected act of violence comes as Sheinbaum's government has gone to great lengths to project an image of safety ahead of the soccer competition, following a surge of cartel violence February in the World Cup host city of Guadalajara.

"Events like this only further magnify the negative images that Mexico has on security issues, undermining the narrative that President Sheinbaum is trying to build that Mexico is a safe country," The Associated Press quoted Mexican security analyst David Saucedo as saying.

On Tuesday, Sheinbaum acknowledged that the archaeological site lacked security filters to prevent the attack in part, she said, because the shooting “was an isolated incident" that hasn't occurred before in such a public space.

While Mexico suffers from cartel violence, especially in strategic and rural areas, mass shootings in public spaces are rare in Mexico compared to the US, where it is much easier to legally obtain a gun.

She noted that the shooter appeared to be motivated by “outside influences," particularly the 1999 Columbine massacre in Colorado.

“Our obligation as a government is to take the appropriate measures to ensure that a situation like this does not happen again. But clearly, we all know — Mexicans know — that this is something that had not previously taken place,” Sheinbaum said Tuesday morning.

Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, the face of the government's crackdown on cartels, said on Tuesday that security forces had been ordered to “immediately strengthen security" at archaeological sites and major tourist destinations across the country.

He said the government will increase the presence of Mexican National Guard, boost security checks at key sites and fortify surveillance systems to “identify and prevent any threats” against citizens and visitors.

The announcement was an effort by Mexican authorities to assuage ongoing concerns about violence in Mexico ahead of the tournament.

Sheinbaum's government has touted security successes under her leadership. Homicides have dipped sharply since she taken office to the lowest levels in a decade, government figures show. The government has also taken out a number of top capos and highlighted a dip in fentanyl seizures at the US-Mexico border.

But they have hit hurdles in recent months, namely a burst a violence in Guadalajara in February, triggered by the killing of Mexico’s most powerful cartel boss. The bloodshed was met with a wave of concern by people in and outside of Mexico.

Sheinbaum vowed there would be “no risk” for fans coming to the tournament and FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he had “full confidence” in Mexico as a host country.

Sheinbaum later met with FIFA representatives to assess security for the World Cup matches to be played in Mexico.

Mexico’s government doubled down on security measures, which include deploying 100,000 security forces across the country, particularly concentrated in the country’s three host cities, Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Officials said it would deploy more than 2,000 military vehicles, as well as dozens of air crafts and drones, and establish security perimeters around areas like stadiums and airports in key cities.

"As you can see, we are very prepared for the World Cup," Sheinbaum said in early March.

Despite the rare nature of the Monday shooting at the pyramids, the extreme act of violence reignited scrutiny by some about the government's capacity to prevent violence during the soccer tournament, and once again boosted pressures on the government.

FIFA was approached for comment about the pyramid shooting, but the soccer body typically does not address security issues and incidents that happen away from tournament venues.

Saucedo, the security analyst, said that pressures to concentrate security in host cities and tourist areas like Teotihuacan may come at the expense of other more crime-torn areas in greater need of police and military.

"Events like the one that took place yesterday in Teotihuacan clearly show that public safety agencies are overwhelmed," he said.

Sports

Bellingham Buys Minority Stakes in the Hundred Franchise Birmingham Phoenix

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Deportivo Alaves - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 21, 2026 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Deportivo Alaves - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 21, 2026 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham reacts. (Reuters)
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Bellingham Buys Minority Stakes in the Hundred Franchise Birmingham Phoenix

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Deportivo Alaves - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 21, 2026 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Deportivo Alaves - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 21, 2026 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham reacts. (Reuters)

England ‌international Jude Bellingham has acquired a minority stake in The Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix, co-owners Warwickshire County Cricket Club said on Wednesday.

The Real Madrid midfielder will take a 1.2% holding and will focus ‌mainly on ‌community engagement and ‌social ⁠projects. Warwickshire will ⁠remain the majority stakeholder with 50.4% shares, and Knighthead Capital Management will hold 48.4%.

"I feel like I owe the ⁠city something," the 22-year-old ‌said ‌in a statement.

"I was fortunate ‌growing up I had ‌the option of playing cricket and playing football, but some kids don’t have that ‌opportunity. It’s important that if I can get ⁠involved ⁠in something like this to shine a light on an opportunity for kids, then even better."

The sixth season of the tournament, which uses a 100-ball format, runs from July 21 to August 16.