The Japan Times - African players in Europe: Salah hailed after Liverpool FA Cup win

"It is very nice to have Mo on the scoresheet again, but what I like the most is he also helps the team a lot defensively," said the Dutch tactician.

The other African scorer in the fourth round, Senegal striker Habib Diarra, also netted from a penalty, giving Sunderland a 1-0 win at Oxford United.

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

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

The two-time African player of the year won the penalty after being dragged back by Pascal Gross, then slammed the ball over Jason Steele to complete the scoring. Salah also produced an assist, his fourth since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco last month.

HABIB DIARRA (Sunderland)

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations winner with Senegal converted a first-half penalty to give Sunderland victory at second-tier Oxford. A foul by defender Christ Makosso from Congo Brazzaville on Dennis Cirkin led to the spot-kick.

SPAIN

ILYAS CHAIRA (Real Oviedo)

Moroccan winger Chaira continued his fine run of scoring form even as Oviedo fell to a 2-1 defeat by Athletic Bilbao in La Liga. The 25-year-old put the hosts ahead in the 30th minute with his third goal in his last five league games, bursting in behind the defence and holding his nerve to finish with aplomb.

UMAR SADIQ (Valencia)

The Nigeria striker came off the bench to score his first La Liga goal of the season and seal a 2-0 local derby victory for Valencia at Levante. With six minutes of regular time remaining, he dispossessed an opponent, surged forward and coolly fired the ball into the net.

GERMANY

SERHOU GUIRASSY (Borussia Drtmund)

Guirassy continued his return to form in Dortmund's 4-0 thumping of Mainz, which kept them six points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. Just 10 minutes in, the Guinea international was in the perfect spot to head in a Julian Ryerson cross. Just before half-time, Ryerson picked out Guirassy again and the big striker headed Dortmund's third goal. After a run of just one goal in 10 league games, Guirassy has five in three.

EDMOND TAPSOBA (Bayer Leverkusen)

Leverkusen defender Tapsoba continued his impressive scoring form this campaign, heading a goal in a 4-0 home victory over St Pauli. With Leverkusen leading by two early in the second half, the Burkina Faso defender rose to head in an Aleix Garcia cross.

RANSFORD KOENIGSDOERFFER (Hamburg)

Hamburg striker Koenigsdoerffer started and finished his side's comeback in a 3-2 home win over Union Berlin. The Germany-born Ghana international equalised from close range after 35 minutes. With Hamburg leading 2-1 and Union pushing for an equaliser, Koenigsdoerffer controlled a long ball on the counter and slid the ball home from a tight angle to seal victory with his first Bundesliga brace.

Y.Kimura--JT