African players in Europe: Aubameyang scores special hat-trick

Barcelona’s Gabonese midfielder Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shoots the ball during the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on February 20, 2022. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat-trick for Barcelona against Valencia at the weekend — the first player this century to fire a treble in La Liga, the Premier League, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1.

It was the first hat-trick claimed by a Barcelona player since Lionel Messi in February 2020, and helped Barca to a 4-1 away triumph.

Another former African Footballer of the Year, Mohamed Salah, also had cause to celebrate as he scored his 150th goal for Liverpool in all competitions.

Here, AFP Sport highlights Africans who starred in the major European leagues:

ENGLANDMOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

The Egyptian’s 150th goal breathed new life into the Premier League title race as the Reds came from behind to beat Norwich 3-1. Having trailed to Milot Rashica’s shock opener at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s side were searching for a winner when Salah netted in the 67th minute, evading goalkeeper Angus Gunn to slot home. He is only the 10th player to reach 150 goals in Liverpool’s history and the second fastest (232 matches) after Roger Hunt (226). Liverpool are just six points behind leaders Manchester City with a game in hand.

SADIO MANE (Liverpool)

The Senegal forward grabbed his side’s crucial equaliser against Norwich in the 64th minute with an audacious overhead kick after Kostas Tsimikas knocked on Jordan Henderson’s cross.

EMMANUEL DENNIS (Watford)

The Nigerian forward ended struggling Watford’s three-month wait for a victory with his first goal since December in their 1-0 triumph at Aston Villa. Roy