African Players Shine in Top European Leagues

Hull City's Algerian midfielder Mohamed Belloumi celebrated after scoring the equalizing goal during the English Premier League match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge in London on September 12, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)

Algerian winger Mohamed Belloumi scored twice as Hull City, newly promoted to the Premier League, extended their unbeaten run to four matches by drawing 2-2 away to Chelsea.

AFP Sport points out some African stars making headlines in Europe's biggest leagues:

ENGLAND

MOHAMED BELLOUMI (Hull City)

Belloumi scored his first two league goals to keep Hull's great start to the season going after a 10-year break from the top flight. He found the net twice in six minutes during the first half with two lovely shots using his left foot. His second goal got a bit of help from deflections off Chelsea defenders. His goals earned Hull, now in third place, a point at Stamford Bridge.

MALICK YALCOUYE (Brighton)

Mali-born midfielder Yalcouye scored in Brighton's 5-0 thrashing of 10-man Coventry. Yalcouye, who played for the Ivory Coast under-23 team after growing up there, netted Brighton's second goal in the 51st minute. He raced away from the Coventry defense to score. This was the 20-year-old's second goal of the season, having also scored in a loss to Chelsea.

SPAIN

INAKI WILLIAMS (Athletic Bilbao)

Ghana international Williams helped his team earn a 1-1 draw in La Liga against Elche. He scored from close range with just over 10 minutes left in the match. The 32-year-old striker got a slight touch on the ball while two defenders tried to block him. It was his first goal of the season.

ITALY

AKOR ADAMS (Venezia)

Adams gave bottom club Venezia the lead at home against Fiorentina. But a hat-trick from Franco Mastantuono led the visitors to a 4-2 victory. The Nigerian striker fired a shot from just inside the box, giving Venezia a brief moment of joy.

GERMANY

CHRISTIAN KOFANE (Bayer Leverkusen)

Kofane's impressive strike in the 18th minute was not enough as Leverkusen settled for a 2-2 draw at Augsburg. The 20-year-old Cameroon striker received a long pass from Burkinabe Edmond Tapsoba and calmly sent a low shot into the bottom right corner to score first.

SERHOU GUIRASSY (Borussia Dortmund)

Guirassy had two goals ruled out for offside, but he still contributed significantly as Borussia Dortmund won 3-0 at home against Paderborn. He played alongside strike partner Fabio Silva for the first time this season. Guirassy set up Silva near the halfway line, and Silva scored the opener within just five minutes.

FRANCE

ABDALLAH SIMA (Lens)

Sima sparked a comeback for Lens in a 2-2 Ligue 1 draw at Le Mans. He scored during added time at the end of the first half, reducing a two-goal deficit. The Senegal international scored his first league goal this season with a header past goalkeeper Ewan Hatfout.