Pienaar among African stars on target in England

27 August 2012 15:17

South Africa midfielder and captain Steven Pienaar was among the African stars on target in the English Premier League at the weekend.

His unstoppable shot after only three minutes set up a 3-1 win for Everton at Aston Villa, and Pienaar should know Thursday whether new coach Bafana Bafana (The Boys) coach Gordon Igesund will retain him as skipper.

The leadership of Pienaar has come under public and media fire amid a poor run by South Africa, which has jeopardised chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

ENGLAND

YAYA TOURE (Manchester City)

The Ivory Coast international proved his alertness by scoring champions City's first equaliser in their 2-2 draw at Liverpool when, after Carlos Tevez's cross was punched by keeper Pepe Reina and rebounded off Martin Kelly, he reacted first to net from six yards.

STEVEN PIENAAR (Everton)

Back with the Toffees after an unhappy spell at Tottenham, the South Africa midfielder kickstarted the Merseysiders' 3-1 win at Aston Villa when he cut inside after just three minutes and fired an unstoppable curling shot past Shay Given into the top corner.

BENOIT ASSOU-EKOTTO (Tottenham)

The Cameroon international gave Spurs a 74th-minute lead with a superb 25-yard shot against West Brom, but the Londoners could not hold on for all three points as the Baggies grabbed a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

AROUNA KONE (Wigan)

The Latics new signing sealed a 2-0 win over Southampton with a goal in the 89th minute when the Ivorian, a close-season acquisition from Levante, dispossessed Jose Fonte in midfield and ran clear before beating Saints keeper Kelvin Davies.

FRANCE

PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG (Saint-Etienne)

Gabon star Aubameyang broke his duck for the season with a brace of crisply taken goals in Saint-Etienne's handsome 4-0 win at home to Brest. The top scorer for Les Verts last season, Aubameyang struck in the 13th and 62nd minutes and was also at the source of Romain Hamouma's goal in the 30th minute, with a shot that bounced back off the post.

MAMADOU SAMASSA (Valenciennes)

Malian striker Samassa broke the deadlock in a 3-0 win over Ajaccio that sent Valenciennes up to third place in the fledgling Ligue 1 standings. The 26-year-old found the target in the 16th minute, meeting Gael Danic's left-wing cross with a powerful header to register his first goal of the campaign.

JONATHAN PITROIPA (Rennes)

Disappointing in Rennes' first two games of the season, Burkina Faso winger Pitroipa opened his account for the season with the second goal in his side's 3-2 win at home to promoted Bastia. The former Hamburg flier teed up Romain Alessandrini for Rennes' opener in the 22nd minute and got on the score-sheet himself five minutes before half-time, steering the ball into the bottom-right corner.

GERMANY

DJIBY FALL (Greuther Fuerth)

The Senegalese striker had a disappointing Bundesliga debut as his team took their German league bow in a 3-0 home defeat to Bavarian neighbours Bayern Munich. The 27-year-old had only limited chances against Munich's star-studded defence and was taken off after 62 minutes having earned a yellow card in the ninth minute for shoving defender Jerome Boateng.

ARISTIDE BANCE (Augsburg)

The Burkinabe made an unhappy return to the Bundesliga, having spent two seasons with Mainz, as his side were beaten 2-0 by promoted Fortuna Duesseldorf. The 27-year-old striker failed to make an impact as substitute Dani Schahin came off the bench to score both goals for the guests in their 2-0 victory.

ITALY

KWADWO ASAMOAH (Juventus)

Asamoah starred on his debut after a close-season move from Udinese -- the Ghana international was instrumental in giving Juventus the lead in their 2-0 win at home to Parma when his cut back set up Stephen Lichtsteiner.

KEVIN-PRINCE BOATENG (AC Milan)

The Germany-born former Ghana midfielder emerged with credit in his side's 1-0 opening home loss to Sampdoria. He hit the woodwork and in the dying seconds of injury time almost equalised only for his header to be denied by Sampdoria keeper Sergio Romero.

SPAIN

LASSANE BANGOURA (Rayo Vallecano)

The 20-year-old Guinea international is set to have an important season, helping Rayo Vallecano to victory in their first two games this season with his attacking threat. He came off the bench against Real Betis and laid on the winner for Leo Carrilho midway through the second half.

SOFIANE FEGHOULI (Valencia)

Despite the quality in attack for Valencia, the Algerian has earned a regular starting place and slotted the third goal in the 3-3 draw with Deportivo la Coruna. It has been a big year for Feghouli, who was an important cog in the Valencia side which finished third last season in La Liga, hitting six goals.

Source: AFP