FIVE African Stars to Watch in the UCL tonight!

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Oct 01, 2019. 12:00

AfricanFootball.com takes a look at FIVE African Stars to keep an eye on in match day two of the UEFA Champions League tonight.

Europe’s premier cup competition resumes on Tuesday evening with eight games scattered across the continent.

Percy Tau

South African fans will be hoping that Percy Tau has done enough to convince Club Brugge head coach Philippe Clement that he warrants a starting berth at the Santiago Bernabéu, having missed the club’s UCL opener at home to Galatasaray.

Tau played a direct part in all three goals as Brugge trumped Francs Borains 3-0 in the Belgian Cup, having emerged from the bench after the break, before starting the club’s most recent Pro League match; a 5-0 win over KV Mechelen.

Idrissa Gana Gueye

The Senegal international was Paris Saint-Germain’s star player in their 3-0 thumping of Real Madrid in the French capital last month.

Having made a name for himself in the Premier League at first Aston Villa and then Everton, Gueye has earned another crack at playing football at the highest level in Europe and has taken his chance with both hands thus far; proving that he is right at home amongst the best stars in world football.

Riyad Mahrez

The Algeria captain has been in superb form this season, successfully carrying his 2019 Africa Cup of Nations winning form over to club football.

Mahrez is not going to start every game – as is Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy of the star-studded squad – but when called upon the wing-wizard has shone. Mahrez has three goals and six assists to his name in nine appearances across all competitions this season, including a goal and assist in City’s 3-0 win on match day one.

Serge Aurier

The Ivory Coast right-back is something of an enigma. One of the best right-back’s on his day, Aurier can go from charging up field and rattling the back of the net to picking up two needless yellow cards and duly receiving his marching orders in the space of just a few minutes.

Nevertheless, there is no denying Aurier’s quality and Spurs will be hoping to see more of the former as they prepare to welcome Bayern Munich in North London.

Thomas Partey

The Ghana international has established himself as a first team regular, having earned his stripes in climbing up the ranks at Atletico Madrid.

Now one of the first names on Diego Simeone’s team sheet, the deep-lying midfielder has not only showcased his versatility in switching to a more defensive role on occasion – sometimes slotting in at right back – but also a greater willingness to get forward and find the back of the net.