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Nicolas Jackson leads Africa’s top African performers from Champions League matchday two

Nicolas Jackson’s first-half double for Aston Villa heads Africafoot’s ranking of the best African performances from the second matchday of the 2026/27 Champions League league phase, which produced a record 78 goals.

1. Nicolas Jackson

Jackson continued his impressive form since joining Aston Villa by scoring twice in the first half of their 6-0 victory over Fenerbahce.

The Senegal international opened the scoring in the 31st minute after being set up by Boubacar Kamara, then struck again eight minutes later. He was substituted in the 77th minute after registering two shots on target from five attempts.

His compatriot Ibrahim Mbaye completed the Senegalese contribution by providing the assist for Ross Barkley’s goal.

Jackson now has three Champions League goals this season and five in all competitions. Aston Villa are third in the league-phase table, inside the top eight places that qualify directly for the last 16.

2. Yvan Junior Dibango

Cameroon defender Yvan Junior Dibango turned LASK’s 6-3 defeat by Liverpool into a personal highlight by providing three assists in just 14 minutes.

The 24-year-old left-back set up Robert Ljubicic in the 63rd minute before assisting Florian Flecker twice, in the 74th and 77th minutes.

According to Opta, Dibango is only the third African player to record three assists in a single Champions League match. They were also his first goal contributions in the competition.

LASK remain 33rd in the standings with no points and a goal difference of minus four.

3. Ademola Lookman

Ademola Lookman made an immediate impact after coming on in the 71st minute against Manchester United.

The Nigeria international completed Atletico’s 2-0 win eight minutes later, reacting quickest to a rebound from Jonathan David’s shot. Manchester United had been reduced to 10 men after Leny Yoro was sent off in the 74th minute.

Lookman’s late intervention gave Atletico their first European points of the season. He has scored once in two Champions League appearances, while Atletico sit 15th with three points.

4. Abde Ezzalzouli

Abde Ezzalzouli was named player of the match after helping Real Betis beat Porto 3-2.

The Morocco international put Betis ahead in the 47th minute following Fran Garcia’s pass and consistently pushed Porto’s defence back. The 24-year-old winger finished with five shots and won eight duels.

Betis later recovered from 2-1 down through goals from Cucho Hernandez and Isco’s penalty. Ezzalzouli had missed the opening matchday trip to Lille because of a knee injury, making this his first Champions League goal of the season.

Betis are ninth with six points, level in the battle for the final direct qualification place with Real Madrid.

5. Anis Hadj Moussa

Anis Hadj Moussa was also named Uefa’s player of the match after Feyenoord’s 3-2 victory over Como.

The Algeria international scored Feyenoord’s second goal in the 52nd minute after being teed up by Gaoussou Diarra. He later struck the post in the 80th minute, with his follow-up effort leading to an own goal by Robert Sanchez.

Hadj Moussa was the game’s most dangerous player, recording five shots and five touches in the opposition penalty area, more than anyone else. His two successful dribbles were also the highest total for a Feyenoord player.

The win was Feyenoord’s first of the league phase after their 5-1 defeat by Barcelona. They are 23rd, in the play-off places.

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