5 amazing goals scored by African players
It is quite unlike the past, when players of African origin light up stadiums with jaw dropping goals; let’s revisit five of those special goals. George Weah (AC Milan) against Verona- I still get goose bumps till this day whenever I watch this goal on YouTube, it is the goal Milan fans will always remember […]
It is quite unlike the past, when players of African origin light up stadiums with jaw dropping goals; let’s revisit five of those special goals.
George Weah (AC Milan) against Verona- I still get goose bumps till this day whenever I watch this goal on YouTube, it is the goal Milan fans will always remember Weah by. The Rossoneri were defending a Verona corner, it was over hit and fell to the back post. The Liberian controlled the ball instantly and took off six yards from his own goal. His blistering pace took him the length of the field skipping past and out muscling desperate Verona defenders. He evaded tackles for fun before cooly slipping the ball past the on rushing Verona keeper to score an incredible goal.
Cheik Tiote (Newcastle) vs Arsenal- An arsenal addicted friend of mine always say this was the particular game that made him gave up on Arsene Wenger. The London club had been four up at half time at St James’ Park, but Abou Diaby’s red card and a couple of generous penalties put away by Joey Barton left Newcastle trailing 4-3 in the dying minutes. Gael Clichy headed Barton’s free-kick high into the air, and when the ball dropped steeply towards the lurking Tiote, the Ivorian simply battered a crushing left-foot volley into the bottom corner to send the crowd wild. It is ranked as one of the best of all time in the English Premier League
Austin Jay Jay Okocha (Bolton) vs. West Ham- His retirement, the Super Eagles midfield has never been the same again,known for his sultry skills and deft touches but the former PSG playmaker also scored some superb goals including this one, a six-pointer between two clubs fighting relegation. Picking up a loose ball, Okocha surged towards the West Ham goal from deep inside his own half, shrugged off Joe Cole, before steadying himself and lashing the ball into the roof of the net from 25 yards.He scored other great goals while in England but this remain the best.
Nwankwo Kanu (Arsenal) vs Chelsea- Only three years after guiding Nigeria to Gold in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the lanky forward scored a goal that football fans (especiall Arsenal followers) would treasure forever. Two nil down at Stamford Bridge, with 15 minutes left, he came up with an incredible match-winning hat-trick, with the best of the lot being his third, Chasing an overhit Davor Suker pass, Kanu somehow kept the ball in play as he blocked Albert Ferrer’s blasted clearance at point blank range with a stretch of his long left leg, as Chelsea keeper De Goey slid for the ball, Kanu danced inside him, trod in a large puddle that gave up a visible splash, and from the narrowest of angles sent the ball skimming just over the heads of Marcel Desailly and Frank Lebouef and into the top corner of the far post.
Tony Yeboah (Leeds Utd) vs Liverpool- Yeboah remain my favourite Ghanaian player of all time, fell in love with him during his Frankfurt days when alongside Okocha they raised the profile of the german club. He has always been a scorer of amazing goals but this particular one against the Reds is just too special, Dorigo crossed from the left, Rod Wallace headed back and Yeboah, showing no compromise to a range of 25 yards, thumped a right-foot volley that hurtled through the sultry air and crashed past David James with awesome ferocity.”
You can relive those special moments by enjoying all the aforementioned goals on the internet.