Review of African players Performance in the champion League

Yesterday, Week 2 of the champions league commenced with about 16 clubs locking horns in the keenly watched competition. So we bring to you review of the performances of some of our African stars that played yesternight, courtesy of Goal.com:

1. Sofiane Feghouli, Valencia: Group H could well be the tightest of all the pools in this year’s Champions League. With no outstanding giant, all of Lyon, Valencia, Zenit St. Petersburg, and even Gent, will back themselves to progress to the Last 16. Every point will be important, and Valencia’s away triumph over Lyon could be decisive. Algeria forward Sofiane Feghouli was the key man; the right winger hit the bar and scored the only goal of the game on 42 minutes.

 

 2. Nana Asare: Also in Group H, Genk faced an ominous trip to Russia, and domestic heavyweights Zenit. While Valencia were able to bag a priceless away triumph, Genk fell to a second-half Oleg Shatov effort, having previously equalised through Tom Matton. Nana Asare struggled to impress at left-back, and faced a daunting prospect in his direct opponent—Hulk—who bagged two assists. Asare must improve ahead of the third match, away to the Spaniards.

3. Gervinho, AS Roma: There have been shocks aplenty in the Champions League so far this season, and while Barcelona escaped defeat with a two-goal turnaround in the last ten minutes against Bayer Leverkusen, Roma were not so fortunate. The Giallorossi were stunned by BATE Borisov, finding themselves 3-0 down after half an hour. They launched a comeback in the second period—with Gervinho pulling a goal back on 66 minutes—but they ended the match as 3-2 losers.

      

4. Yacine Brahimi, FC Porto: Following Porto’s 2-2 draw with Moreirense at the weekend, Algeria playmaker Yacine Brahimi had been an injury doubt for the Chelsea game after picking up a knock in that match and being replaced at half time. How Jose Mourinho must have wished that Brahimi had been out of action! The playmaker was imperious against the Blues, completing 10 dribbles, taking four shots, and emerging as Porto’s key player on the night. The Pensioners have been linked with a move for the North African, and may sharpen their interest after this showing.

      

     

5. John Obi Mikel, Chelsea: In contrast to Brahimi—who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge—Mikel has been again linked with a departure from West London in recent weeks. Not for the first time this season, Mourinho turned to the midfield general and installed him as a starter on the back of a poor result, once again, Mikel was unable avoid another defeat. The Nigerian was hauled off just after the hour mark.