African players in Europe: Kudus goes from zero to hero to zero

West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus captained Ghana to a disastrous defeat, then scored and was sent off against Tottenham during five days when he went from zero to hero to zero.

Ghana fell 2-0 to Sudan last Tuesday — a result that leaves the four-time champions with little hope of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

He put the Hammers ahead four days later at Spurs, who hit back to triumph 4-1, and Kudus was red-carded close to full-time after striking two opponents.

Here, AFP Sport highlights some of the African headline-makers in the major European leagues.

ENGLAND
MOHAMMED KUDUS (West Ham)

Having scored in the 18th minute, Kudus was dismissed on 86 minutes after losing his cool. He struck Tottenham duo Micky van de Ven and Pape Sarr in the face, earning a three-match ban to continue a difficult period for the 24-year-old.

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

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The Egypt forward put the league leaders on course for a crucial 2-1 win against Chelsea at Anfield. Salah converted a 29th-minute penalty, giving Liverpool the lead with his seventh goal in all competitions this season. After a 48th-minute equaliser from Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson, Curtis Jones bagged the winner three minutes later.

JORDAN AYEW (Leicester)

The Ghana forward completed his team’s incredible comeback to beat Southampton 3-2 as his first league goal this term settled a thriller. Leicester, who trailed 2-0 at half-time, snatched victory when Ayew drilled the ball into the bottom corner in the 98th minute.

SPAIN
MAMADOU SYLLA (Valladolid)

The Senegalese forward converted a 17th-minute penalty to help Valladolid to a 3-2 win at Alaves, which was just the struggling team’s second La