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African Players in Europe: West Africans Help Plymouth Stun Liverpool

Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool - Home Park, Plymouth, Britain - February 9, 2025 Plymouth Argyle's Muhamed Tijani celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool - Home Park, Plymouth, Britain - February 9, 2025 Plymouth Argyle's Muhamed Tijani celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
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African Players in Europe: West Africans Help Plymouth Stun Liverpool

Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool - Home Park, Plymouth, Britain - February 9, 2025 Plymouth Argyle's Muhamed Tijani celebrates after the match. (Reuters)
Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool - Home Park, Plymouth, Britain - February 9, 2025 Plymouth Argyle's Muhamed Tijani celebrates after the match. (Reuters)

Sierra Leone international Mustapha Bundu and Nigerian Muhamed Tijani helped second-tier strugglers Plymouth Argyle stun Premier League leaders Liverpool 1-0 in the FA Cup at the weekend.

Bundu led the Pilgrims attack until replaced by Tijani after 72 minutes of a fourth-round tie settled by a Ryan Hardie penalty early in the second half.

Liverpool had hopes of a Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup quadruple dashed after resting several stars, including prolific scorer and Egypt captain Mohamed Salah.

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

MUSTAPHA BUNDU/MUHAMED TIJANI (Plymouth)

Bundu had a penalty appeal rejected and set up a scoring chance for Callum Wright that was not far off target in the southern England port city. Later, Tijani mistimed a diving header that could have doubled the lead.

ANTOINE SEMENYO (Bournemouth)

The Ghana forward's ninth goal this season propelled the Cherries to a 2-0 win at Everton.In the last FA Cup tie at Goodison Park before Everton move to a new stadium next season, Semenyo put Bournemouth ahead with a 23rd-minute penalty awarded after James Tarkowski fouled the 25-year-old. Semenyo, who has scored four times in his last six games, said: "It would be lovely to reach a semi-final where we are playing at Wembley."

MOUCTAR DIAKHABY (Valencia)

The Guinea defender scored his first goal after returning from a severe knee injury as Valencia won 2-0 against Leganes in a relegation dog-fight. Diakhaby blasted home from close range to scored their second and sprinted off in celebration having missed nearly a year before he came back in January. "After everything I've been through, it was very special," said the center-back. "I thought about the moment of the injury, how hard I've worked and my family, who were very affected by it."

FISAYO DELE-BASHIRU (Lazio)

The Nigerian international came off the bench and netted Lazio's final goal in a 5-1 thrashing of Monza as the capital club moved back into the Serie A top four. The 24-year-old is on loan at Lazio from Turkish team Hatayspor.

AHMED HASSAN (Le Havre)

The 31-year-old Egypt forward scored his first goal for Le Havre in their shock 2-1 win at Lille, a result which lifted the struggling side off the bottom of Ligue 1. Hassan, also known simply as "Kouka", joined Le Havre during the January transfer window until the end of the season, having previously been at Rio Ave in Portugal.

PATRICK ZABI (Reims)

The tall 18-year-old Ivorian midfielder, whose skills on the pitches of Abidjan earned him the nickname "Magic", moved to Reims in early January. Destined to play for the reserve team in the French lower leagues, he was instead handed a Ligue 1 debut off the bench against Nantes last weekend, and also appeared in a French Cup tie in midweek. Zabi again came off the bench for Reims late on against Lyon on Sunday, only to be sent off in a 4-0 defeat for his team.

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Mourinho Says It Won’t Take ‘Miracle’ to Take Down ‘Wounded King’ Real Madrid in Champions League

Benfica's coach Jose Mourinho reacts during a press conference on the eve of their UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match against Real Madrid at Benfica Campus in Seixal, outskirts of Lisbon, on February 16, 2026. (AFP)
Benfica's coach Jose Mourinho reacts during a press conference on the eve of their UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match against Real Madrid at Benfica Campus in Seixal, outskirts of Lisbon, on February 16, 2026. (AFP)
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Mourinho Says It Won’t Take ‘Miracle’ to Take Down ‘Wounded King’ Real Madrid in Champions League

Benfica's coach Jose Mourinho reacts during a press conference on the eve of their UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match against Real Madrid at Benfica Campus in Seixal, outskirts of Lisbon, on February 16, 2026. (AFP)
Benfica's coach Jose Mourinho reacts during a press conference on the eve of their UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match against Real Madrid at Benfica Campus in Seixal, outskirts of Lisbon, on February 16, 2026. (AFP)

José Mourinho believes Real Madrid is "wounded" after the shock loss to Benfica and doesn't think it will take a miracle to stun the Spanish giant again in the Champions League.

Benfica defeated Madrid 4-2 in the final round of the league phase to grab the last spot in the playoffs, and in the process dropped the 15-time champion out of the eight automatic qualification places for the round of 16.

Coach Mourinho's Benfica and his former team meet again in Lisbon on Tuesday in the first leg of the knockout stage.

"They are wounded," Mourinho said Monday. "And a wounded king is dangerous. We will play the first leg with our heads, with ambition and confidence. We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League."

Mourinho acknowledged that Madrid remained heavily favored and it would take a near-perfect show for Benfica to advance.

"I don’t think it takes a miracle for Benfica to eliminate Real Madrid. I think we need to be at our highest level. I don’t even say high, I mean maximum, almost bordering on perfection, which does not exist. But not a miracle," he said.

"Real Madrid is Real Madrid, with history, knowledge, ambition. The only comparable thing is that we are two giants. Beyond that, there is nothing else. But football has this power and we can win."

Benfica's dramatic win in Lisbon three weeks ago came thanks to a last-minute header by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, allowing the team to grab the 24th and final spot for the knockout stage on goal difference.

"Trubin won’t be in the attack this time," Mourinho joked.

"I’m very used to these kinds of ties, I’ve been doing it all my life," he said. "People often think you need a certain result in the first leg for this or that reason. I say there is no definitive result."

Sports

African Players in Europe: Salah Hailed after Liverpool FA Cup Win 

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 14, 2026 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 14, 2026 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
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African Players in Europe: Salah Hailed after Liverpool FA Cup Win 

Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 14, 2026 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 14, 2026 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)

Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised Egypt captain Mohamed Salah after his penalty sealed a 3-0 FA Cup victory over Brighton at the weekend.

"It is very nice to have Mo on the scoresheet again, but what I like the most is he also helps the team a lot defensively," said the Dutch tactician.

The other African scorer in the fourth round, Senegal striker Habib Diarra, also netted from a penalty, giving Sunderland a 1-0 win at Oxford United.

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

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

The two-time African player of the year won the penalty after being dragged back by Pascal Gross, then slammed the ball over Jason Steele to complete the scoring. Salah also produced an assist, his fourth since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco last month.

HABIB DIARRA (Sunderland)

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations winner with Senegal converted a first-half penalty to give Sunderland victory at second-tier Oxford. A foul by defender Christ Makosso from Congo Brazzaville on Dennis Cirkin led to the spot-kick.

SPAIN

ILYAS CHAIRA (Real Oviedo)

Moroccan winger Chaira continued his fine run of scoring form even as Oviedo fell to a 2-1 defeat by Athletic Bilbao in La Liga. The 25-year-old put the hosts ahead in the 30th minute with his third goal in his last five league games, bursting in behind the defense and holding his nerve to finish with aplomb.

UMAR SADIQ (Valencia)

The Nigeria striker came off the bench to score his first La Liga goal of the season and seal a 2-0 local derby victory for Valencia at Levante. With six minutes of regular time remaining, he dispossessed an opponent, surged forward and coolly fired the ball into the net.

GERMANY

SERHOU GUIRASSY (Borussia Dortmund)

Guirassy continued his return to form in Dortmund's 4-0 thumping of Mainz, which kept them six points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. Just 10 minutes in, the Guinea international was in the perfect spot to head in a Julian Ryerson cross. Just before half-time, Ryerson picked out Guirassy again and the big striker headed Dortmund's third goal. After a run of just one goal in 10 league games, Guirassy has five in three.

EDMOND TAPSOBA (Bayer Leverkusen)

Leverkusen defender Tapsoba continued his impressive scoring form this campaign, heading a goal in a 4-0 home victory over St Pauli. With Leverkusen leading by two early in the second half, the Burkina Faso defender rose to head in an Aleix Garcia cross.

RANSFORD KOENIGSDOERFFER (Hamburg)

Hamburg striker Koenigsdoerffer started and finished his side's comeback in a 3-2 home win over Union Berlin. The Germany-born Ghana international equalized from close range after 35 minutes. With Hamburg leading 2-1 and Union pushing for an equaliser, Koenigsdoerffer controlled a long ball on the counter and slid the ball home from a tight angle to seal victory with his first Bundesliga brace.

Sports

Crunch Time for Real Madrid’s Mbappe-Vinicius Partnership 

Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - February 1, 2026 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal with Vinicius Junior. (Reuters)
Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - February 1, 2026 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal with Vinicius Junior. (Reuters)
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Crunch Time for Real Madrid’s Mbappe-Vinicius Partnership 

Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - February 1, 2026 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal with Vinicius Junior. (Reuters)
Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - February 1, 2026 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal with Vinicius Junior. (Reuters)

French superstar Kylian Mbappe is poised to return for Real Madrid's Champions League play-off clash at Benfica on Tuesday after resting at the weekend.

The availability of the team's top scorer and best player this season is excellent news for coach Alvaro Arbeloa, but it raises the question of whether Los Blancos lose too much balance when both he and Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior line up in attack together.

That problem is further exacerbated when Jude Bellingham is available too, but the England international is injured and will not feature against Jose Mourinho's side in Lisbon.

All three stars lined up for Madrid in the league phase against Benfica in late January, as Los Blancos fell to a damaging 4-2 defeat that left them facing a play-off round tie against the same opponents.

Mbappe struck twice for Madrid in that match and is the Champions League top marksman with 13 goals.

However Madrid were outplayed and unpicked by Mourinho's side, who secured their own play-off round spot thanks to Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's stunning 98th-minute header.

With Mbappe an unused substitute against Real Sociedad on Saturday because of knee discomfort, Vinicius shone as Arbeloa's team ran out comfortable 4-1 winners at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Brazilian won and converted two penalties in one of his best displays of a mixed campaign.

"Since I've arrived he's had games at a really high level... he's a player who goes beyond the statistics, how he can change a game, condition opponents, the number of players he can attract," enthused Arbeloa.

"He is one of the best in the world, and it is a privilege to coach him."

As Madrid's key attacker against La Real and operating in plenty of space, Vinicius put his stamp on the game.

However, he will have to share the star billing with Mbappe at Benfica's Estadio da Luz.

"(Mbappe) is doing very well. Obviously, he has been dealing with these minor issues for quite some time this season," said Arbeloa.

"He is making a great effort every time he steps onto the field, and we have decided not to take risks so that he will be ready to start the match on Tuesday. That will be the case."

- Key question -

Arbeloa has made it clear since replacing Xabi Alonso at the helm in January that he intends to lean on Madrid's star players when they are available.

Alonso's rotation policy and attempt at a meritocracy did not suit some of Madrid's stars and Arbeloa's strategy of keeping them content, from former Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti's playbook, seems to be working reasonably well so far.

Vinicius's form has risen sharply since Arbeloa's arrival, after a long goal drought impacted Alonso's stint at the helm.

However, Ancelotti could not solve the problem either and while the immense quality of Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham and co can help Madrid overpower most teams, they can also come undone easily against well-prepared opponents.

Madrid's Galactico gamble between 2000-2006 ended badly, with superstars including Luis Figo, David Beckham and Ronaldo winning limited silverware with the club.

Mbappe and Vinicius have at least said they enjoy playing with each other, and they mesh better now than during the first months after the Frenchman's arrival last season, when they often occupied similar spaces.

Yet with neither particularly fond of pressing or fulfilling defensive duties, it makes life hard for the rest of the team behind them.

After beating Real Sociedad, midfielder Fede Valverde praised the team's grit.

"Everyone worked hard... you could tell that we were defending as a team during the whole game," said Valverde.

Whether they can repeat that against Benfica on Tuesday, and other top opposition down the line, with both Vinicius and Mbappe in the team is the key question yet to be answered.