African players in Europe: Awoniyi seals key win for lowly Forest

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Nottingham Forest’s Nigerian striker #09 Taiwo Awoniyi (R) scores their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on March 22, 2026. (Photo by CARLOS JASSO / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

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Taiwo Awoniyi inflicted the final blow on Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend as Nottingham Forest eased their Premier League relegation fears with a convincing 3-0 away win.

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The Nigerian has struggled for minutes under four different Forest managers this season but could prove an important impact player in their quest to avoid the drop and win the Europa League.

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Algerian Ramy Bensebaini maintained a remarkable record of not missing any of 14 penalties he has taken for club and country by converting two in a Borussia Dortmund victory.

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AFP Sport highlights African headline-makers in the major European leagues:

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ENGLAND

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TAIWO AWONIYI (Nottingham Forst)

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Awoniyi produced a clinical finish to Neco Williams’ cross late on to register just his second goal of the season. Victory lifted Forest to 32 points, three above the relegation zone.

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BETO, ILIMAN NDIAYE (Everton)

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Beto and Ndiaye combined to deliver Everton’s best win yet at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium. Guinea-Bissau’s Beto set the Toffees on course for a 3-0 win over Chelsea with a double either side of half-time. Beto then turned provider for Senegal forward Ndiaye to fire a brilliant strike into the top corner.

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CHEMSDINE TALBI (Sunderland)

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Talbi kickstarted the Sunderland fightback as they inflicted more pain on Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby. The Black Cats came from a goal down to win 2-1 at St. James’ Park and extend their unbeaten league run against Newcastle to 11 games. The Moroccan turned in from close range after Newcastle failed to clear a corner for his fourth Premier League goal.

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SPAIN

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ILYAS CHAIRA (Real Oviedo)

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Morocco’s Chaira headed home his third goal in his last eight games in Oviedo’s 4-2 La Liga defeat by Levante. The 25-year-old winger sparked a short-lived comeback from the Asturian team, who now seem likely to be relegated.

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NICOLAS PEPE (Villarreal)

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Ivory Coast winger Pepe showed his pace to burst forward and finished with the aid of a deflection to put Villarreal three goals up in a 3-1 win over Real Sociedad. The former Arsenal forward has been in excellent form recently with three goals in his last eight appearances for the high-flying Yellow Submarine.

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GERMANY

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RAMY BENSEBAINI (Borussia Dortmund)

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Bensebaini again demonstrated his value from the spot, converting two penalties as Borussia came from two goals down at half-time to beat Hamburg 3-2 at home. Before his brace, Dortmund won a penalty late in the first half, but midfielder Felix Nmecha, attempting his first spot kick in senior football, fired wide.

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SERHOU GUIRASSY (Borussia Dortmund)

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Guirassy showed his capacity for improvisation by scoring an equaliser in the comeback win of Borussia. His 78th-minute header was saved but the Guinea international connected with the rebound while falling to bring his side level.

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PHILIP OTELE (Hamburg)

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Otele scored his first goal since arriving in January as Hamburg lost at Dortmund. After 19 minutes, the Nigerian winger was perfectly positioned to turn in a Michael Mikelbrencis pass.

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