The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals came to a dramatic end over the weekend with victory for Senegal over hosts Morocco in the decider, but there were also several of the continent’s top stars back in domestic league action with their clubs.
We round up the best of the performers, who scored crucial goals for the sides in some big wins.
BRYAN MBEUMO (CAMEROON & MANCHESTER UNITED)
Next fixture: Arsenal (a)
Mbeumo returned to Manchester United from AFCON duty with Cameroon to find a new manager in charge in the form of Michael Carrick. But the winger carried on where he left off before the continental finals with another superb display in a 2-0 victory over local rivals Manchester City that kept United UEFA Champions League qualification hopes well on track.
Mbeumo opened the scoring on 65 minutes when a quick break saw Bruno Fernandez play the perfect pass into his path, and the winger side-footed into the far corner of the net. It was a seventh goal to go with a single assist in 17 Premier League matches this season.
RAFIO DUROSINMI (NIGERIA & PISA)
Next fixture: Inter Milan (a)
It has been a rough old season for relegation-threatened Pisa in Serie A, but a 1-1 draw against Atalanta will give them hope they can get out of the relegation zone. They were boosted by a debut goal for Durosinmi following his January move from Viktoria Plzen.
The 23-year-old forward came off the bench and produced an excellent finish with three minutes to go to earn a point. A cross was curled into the box from the left and Durosinmi flew through the air to get a touch to it with his head and steer it into the goal. He will hope it is the first of many for Pisa this season with the club three points from safety.
AMINE GOUIRI (ALGERIA & MARSEILLE)
Next fixture: Lens (h)
Marseille followed up their 9-0 win over Bayeux in the French Cup in midweek with a 5-2 success against Angers in Ligue 1 as the goals keep coming. Gouiri got them off the mark with the opening goal on 19 minutes and it was a fine piece of athleticism as he stretched to turn in a low pass across the six-yard both.
Gouiri also scored two goals in that massive cup win and will be relishing being back on the grass after an injury-plagued season that saw him miss to AFCON. That is now two goals and an assist in six Ligue 1 starts this season.
HAMED TRAORE (CÔTE D’IVOIRE & MARSEILLE)
Next fixture: Lens (h)
Also on the scoresheet for Marseille against Angers was Ivorian Traore, who netted his first goal for the club following his loan move from Bournemouth in England. He has also spent months on the sidelines this season with injury, so is trying to make up for lost time and had a good start against Angers.
He netted the third goal with a brilliant turn just outside the box that created the space for a shot which arrowed into the corner of the net. It was the 25-year-old’s first goal for the club to go with an assist in just two appearances in Ligue 1 this campaign.
MARTIAL GODO (CÔTE D’IVOIRE & STRASBOURG)
Next fixture: Lille (a)
Strasbourg were also coming off a big 6-0 win in the French Cup in midweek as they defeated Avranches, and followed that up with a 2-1 Ligue 1 success against Metz. The winner was scored by Godo just before halftime with a towering header at the back post from compatriot Guéla Doué’s cross.
It was his third goal of the Ligue 1 season following his move from Fulham at the start of the campaign. He has seven goals in all competitions and at the age of 22, the London-born attacker is a real prospect for the future.