African stars in European leagues: Salah departs for AFCON with doubts lingering

Mohamed Salah is set to travel to Morocco this week to lead Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), while questions persist about his long-term role at Liverpool.

Salah entered the game from the substitutes bench during the first half and assisted the second goal in a 2-0 Premier League triumph against Brighton over the weekend.

Following the game, coach Arne Slot stated there were "no matters to settle" with his key attacker, yet rumours keep swirling regarding the Egyptian's prospects after his heated comments last weekend.

AFP Sport spotlights prominent African performers across Europe's top leagues:

ENGLAND

MOHAMED SALAH (Liverpool)

The 33-year-old substituted in and made an immediate impact by assisting Liverpool's second goal for Hugo Ekitike. Salah had been omitted from Liverpool's lineup for their Tuesday Champions League success at Inter Milan, following his fiery criticism of Slot after the recent stalemate with Leeds. This marked the third consecutive match where Salah started on the bench, and his angry assertion that he felt "thrown under the bus" suggests a possible exit from the struggling Premier League title holders in the January transfer period.

CALVIN BASSEY (Fulham)

The Nigerian defender found the net during his team's 3-2 victory away at Burnley. Bassey secured Fulham's second goal to extend their lead to 2-1 in the 31st minute, contributing to their first win at Turf Moor since 1951. The 25-year-old's header from close range off Harry Wilson's delivery was his initial strike since an FA Cup encounter with Manchester United back in March.

IBRAHIM SANGARE (Nottingham Forest)

The Ivorian midfielder sealed a 3-0 win over Tottenham with the closing goal. Sangare struck in the 79th minute at the City Ground, curling a fine effort inside the post using the outer side of his foot. The 28-year-old's second strike of the campaign, and first in seven outings, aided Forest's efforts to steer clear of the drop zone.

SPAIN

AKOR ADAMS, CHIDERA EJUKE (Sevilla)

Nigerians Adams and Ejuke marked their AFCON selections by each scoring once as Sevilla crushed Real Oviedo 4-0 in La Liga. Adams netted the opener in the fourth minute, while Ejuke wrapped up the scoring with one minute left in regular time.

GERMANY

MOHAMED AMOURA (Wolfsburg)

Amoura netted for the second match running in Wolfsburg's 3-1 Bundesliga success at Borussia Moenchengladbach. With the score tied after 34 minutes, Amoura reacted quickly to smash in a deflected cross from Christian Eriksen, restoring the lead for the away side. The 25-year-old has tallied six goals and provided two assists for Wolfsburg in the league so far this term.

RAMY BENSEBAINI (Borussia Dortmund)

Dortmund's defender Bensebaini grabbed his team's lone goal in a frustrating 1-1 stalemate at Freiburg. As fellow Dortmund forward and Guinean international Serhou Guirassy faltered with missed opportunities up front, Bensebaini stepped up with 31 minutes played. The Algerian connected with a Yan Couto free-kick and fired home from near range.

FRANCE

HIMAD ABDELLI, HAROUNA DJIBIRIN (Angers)

Algerian Abdelli slotted home an early spot-kick, and Cameroonian Djibirin re-established a two-goal advantage on 85 minutes, as mid-table Angers dismantled bottom-feeder Nantes 4-1 in Ligue 1. Each African player notched their second league goal of the season.