Morocco international Achraf Hakimi stole the spotlight in European football over the weekend, scoring his first career hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain demolished Le Havre 5-1 in Ligue 1.
The reigning African Footballer of the Year delivered an outstanding attacking performance, contributing to all five PSG goals as the French champions strengthened their position at the top of the league.
Hakimi scored three times and provided assists for Mika Godts and Senny Mayulu, condemning bottom-placed Le Havre to their seventh defeat in nine matches.
His performance headlined an impressive weekend for several African players competing across Europe’s major domestic leagues.
In England, Senegalese forward Nicolas Jackson continued his impressive form for Aston Villa, scoring in a 1-1 draw against Fulham.
Jackson converted a pass from Johan Manzambi to register his eighth goal in 12 appearances for Villa.
The former Chelsea striker has now scored five Premier League goals in his last five matches, reinforcing his growing importance to Unai Emery’s side.
Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi also made an impact, scoring his first league goal for Coventry City in a 3-1 victory over Sunderland.
Making his first start since September, Awoniyi regained possession before driving into the penalty area and finishing into the bottom corner.
The victory lifted Coventry out of the relegation zone.
In Spain, teenage Ivorian sensation Yan Diomande added his name to the scoresheet as Real Madrid defeated Racing Santander 3-0.
Diomande, a record signing for the Spanish giants, struck from outside the penalty area in the 37th minute to complete Madrid’s scoring before half-time.
Meanwhile, Angola international M’Bala Nzola scored for Cagliari in Italy, although his side suffered a 2-1 defeat against Serie A leaders Lazio.
Nzola opened the scoring midway through the first half, finding the net in consecutive matches for the first time in 70 months.
Germany also witnessed notable contributions from African internationals.
Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy scored Borussia Dortmund’s equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.
His goal came after Harry Kane missed a penalty, taking Guirassy’s tally across all competitions to eight this season.
Elsewhere, Algerian midfielder Ibrahim Maza scored a powerful header for Bayer Leverkusen in their 4-2 defeat to Stuttgart.
Despite the loss, Maza impressed with his dribbling ability before finding the net in the 79th minute.
Moroccan midfielder Bilal El Khannouss was instrumental in Stuttgart’s victory, scoring with a low strike early in the second half.
He also contributed to the build-up for Ermedin Demirovic’s goal as Stuttgart returned to winning ways.
The weekend’s performances highlighted the influence of African footballers across Europe’s leading competitions, with Hakimi’s historic hat-trick standing out among the individual displays.
Ezeana Emmanuel
