The best and worst of African players abroad

How did Youssef En-Nesyri fare on his first start for Sevilla in 2021 against fellow top four hopefuls Real Sociedad, as Julen Lopetegui’s team hoped to move level with the Basque outfit?

Too Good: Romain Saiss

Wolverhampton Wanderers eliminated Crystal Palace from the FA Cup on Friday night, with Saiss helping the hosts to a clean sheet.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team won 1-0 at Molineux and the Moroccan produced a solid defensive display on the night along with Conor Coady at the heart of the defence.

The Wolves backline stopped Wilfried Zaha — who came on for the final 20 minutes — and Eberechi Eze from producing in the final third, thus confirming progress to the fourth round of the competition.

Too Bad: Karl Toko Ekambi

Despite fighting back from two goals down to gain a creditable 2-2 draw at Stade Rennais, the game could have gone differently for Olympique Lyonnais had Toko Ekambi netted in the first half.

Cameroon forward missed a clear-cut chance with the visitors still 1-0 down, which may have changed the course of the game.

That failure saw Lyon fail to respond instantly, and they ultimately dropped points in the title race, as victories for Paris Saint-Germain and LOSC Lille sees both move a point behind them at the halfway point of the season.

Too Good: Younes Belhanda

The midfielder netted a stunning hat-trick in 65 minutes as Super Lig contenders Galatasaray thrashed Genclerbirligi 6-0 in Istanbul.

It took Belhanda’s tally for the season to five goals and the strikes on Saturday saw him halt a two-month league run without a goal or assist.

Mbaye Diagne also netted for Galatasaray in the rout as they closed the gap at the top to two points, following Besiktas's draw with Hatayspor.

Too Bad: Ismael Traore

Angers suffered a 3-0 defeat by AS Monaco at Stade Louis II, and the Ivorian had a torrid night as the hosts ran riot.

Traore’s haphazard passing led to the away side giving the ball away from time to time, in a game the home side utterly dominated.

Angers are seventh in the division after 19 games played.

Too Good: Youssef En-Nesyri

Sevilla defeated Real Sociedad 3-2 in a thrilling game in Seville to move level on points with the Basque outfit on 30 points, despite playing three games fewer.

Julen Lopetegui’s side had En-Nesyri to thank for the victory due to the incredible treble he netted against the visitors, with two of those coming in the opening 15 minutes that saw both sides score twice each.

It was the Morocco forward’s first hat-trick for Sevilla, and he’s now up to eight La Liga goals in just nine starts this season.