Last updated on September 7, 2025
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Salah’s ability to deliver in big moments remains unmatched.
Image credit: Samuel
The 2025/26 Premier League season is off to a thrilling start, and African players are already stealing the spotlight.
Whether it is it Mohamed Salah’s relentless goal-scoring or Mohammed Kudus’ dazzling debut, it’s very clear that the continent’s stars have made their mark in the first three matchweeks.
Nigerian fans, in particular, are buzzing about Ola Aina’s defensive heroics, while Bryan Mbeumo’s big-money move to Manchester United is turning heads.
Let’s dive into how these African stars have fared in the EPL’s opening fixtures, proving why they’re the heartbeat of their teams.
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Table of Contents
Mohamed Salah: The Egyptian King Reigns Supreme
No conversation about African footballers in the Premier League is complete without Mohamed Salah.
The Liverpool superstar, fresh off a 2024/25 season where he topped the charts with 28 goals and 19 assists, kicked off the new campaign in typical fashion.
Without wasting time, Salah found the net in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth, setting the tone for their title defense.
His influence was felt again in a dramatic 3-2 victory against Newcastle (Matchweek 2).
There’s no doubt that his pace and clinical finishing contributed to Liverpool’s attacking flurry, even though 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha stole headlines with a stoppage-time winner.
Salah’s early impact is no surprise.
Last season, he led the league in expected goals (25.4) and touches in the opposition box (394).
His ability to deliver in big moments remains unmatched.
As the Reds chase a third title in six years, Salah’s goals and leadership are proving he’s still the EPL’s African king.
Bryan Mbeumo: Cameroon’s Star Making Waves at United
Bryan Mbeumo’s £65m move from Brentford to Manchester United was the summer’s biggest African transfer.
And the Cameroonian forward is already justifying the price tag.
In Matchweek 3, Mbeumo scored his first Premier League goal of the season, in a match that United won albeit a penalty heroic from Bruno Fernandes.
Despite a 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the opener, Mbeumo’s debut was electric—his goal-bound header and low drive forced stunning saves from David Raya, showing his threat on United’s right flank.
After a 2024/25 season where he bagged 20 goals and 7 assists for Brentford, Mbeumo’s early contributions under Ruben Amorim signal his readiness for the big stage.
Fans on X are hyping his “clinical edge,” with one user tweeting, “Mbeumo is United’s new spark!”
His journey from Brentford’s underdog to Old Trafford’s hope mirrors the hustle African fans admire.
Expect more goals and flair as Mbeumo settles into United’s rebuild.
Ola Aina: Nigeria’s Unsung Hero at Nottingham Forest
Aina has consistently been a rock in Forest’s defense.
Image credit: Andy B
Nigerian fans have every reason to be proud of Ola Aina, who’s quietly becoming one of the Premier League’s top full-backs.
At Nottingham Forest, Aina has been a defensive rock, building on a 2024/25 season where he led defenders with 190 possession recoveries and matched a league-high three clearances off the line.
In the first three matches, Aina has consistently been a rock in Forest’s defense, in games like their opener against Brentford though they fell to West Ham at home.
While specific stats from these matches are still emerging, Aina’s attacking runs and crossing ability have added a new dimension to Forest’s play.
His £5.0m price in Fantasy Premier League reflects his growing influence, with fans on X praising his “Naija grit” and work rate.
For a Forest side aiming to defy expectations, Aina’s consistency is a Nigerian success story that deserves more spotlight.
Mohammed Kudus: Ghana’s Flair Ignites Tottenham
Mohammed Kudus wasted no time announcing himself at Tottenham after his ÂŁ55m move from West Ham.
In Matchweek 1, the Ghanaian winger delivered a scintillating performance in Spurs’ 3-0 thrashing of Burnley, providing two assists for Richarlison’s goals.
His pinpoint cross in the 10th minute set up the opener, and his vision for a stunning scissor-kick goal on the hour mark had fans buzzing.
Inder new coach Thomas Frank, Kudus is thriving as a natural right-winger, rediscovering the form that made him a star at Ajax.
X posts exploded with praise for Kudus’ “electric” debut, with one fan calling him “Ghana’s new king in the EPL.”
His flair, pace, and ability to unlock defenses are exactly what Tottenham need in their Champions League push.
For African fans, Kudus’ rise is a reminder of the continent’s depth of talent, and his early impact suggests he’s ready to light up the Premier League.
Why African Stars Are Stealing the Show
These four players—Salah, Mbeumo, Aina, and Kudus—represent the best of African football in the EPL’s opening weeks.
Salah’s goals keep Liverpool at the top, Mbeumo’s spark is igniting United’s revival, Aina’s grit anchors Forest’s defense, and Kudus’ flair is transforming Tottenham’s attack.
