Africans Abroad: Riyad Mahrez takes centre stage
During the first five matchdays of the Premier League season, three of the league's four major African superstars -- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane -- had reaffirmed their qualities; this past weekend, it was the turn of the fourth -- Riyad Mahrez -- to step into the spotlight.
Mahrez has been the quietest of the division's quartet of continental megastars this season, despite entering the campaign on the back of a quadruple with Manchester City and the African Cup of Nations victory with Algeria in Egypt.
As was the case last term, the former Leicester City man has been made to bide his time by Pep Guardiola; contributing two assists in the season-opener against West Ham United, but then only starting one of the next four league games.nfl jerseys nike cheap
However, his goal and assist in the midweek UEFA Champions League victory at Shakhtar Donestk appeared to have convinced the Spaniard -- looking for a response domestically after last weekend's defeat by Norwich City - to plump for Mahrez ahead of Raheem Sterling for the visit of Watford on Saturday.
The manager's decision was fully vindicated, with the Algerian one of a handful of star performers as the Hornets were eviscerated 8-0 in a match that had uncomfortable echoes of their 6-0 FA Cup final pummelling at the hands of City last term -- another contest in which Mahrez excelled.
During a thoroughly complete individual display, the wideman added City's third on 12 minutes amid a flurry of early goals, and contributed the assist for Kevin De Bruyne as the Belgian added further gloss to the rout five minutes from time.
Mahrez could have had another but was denied by the woodwork, and he created four goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates as well as completing three dribbles during the course of the contest.cheap nfl nike jerseys china
The competition at City, who remain five points behind Liverpool atop the EPL table, means that Mahrez may well lose his place in the starting XI for the trip to Everton on Saturday, but this contest was an iridescent reminder that he certainly still deserves to be considered among the league's finest African stars.
