It was another good showing for African players in the Spanish Copa del Rey as the Nigerian winger and Guinean midfielder helped their clubs into the round of 16
Samuel Chukwueze continued his excellent form for Villarreal with his second goal in a week, this time in a resounding 5-1 victory over Cartagena, while Iliax Moriba also did his chances of earning more playing time a world of good with a goal in Valencia’s 3-0 win over La Nucia.
Chukwueze’s red hot form helps Villarreal past Cartagena
Chukwueze only needed 17 minutes to make his mark in the cup tie as he scored in the 85th minute after coming on in the 68th minute for Arnaut Danjuma.
His goal was the fourth in Villarreal’s 5-1 win which now sees them join the likes of Real Madrid and Valencia to move closer to a Copa del Rey title.
Moriba scores as Valencia reach Copa del Rey round of 16
Guinean midfielder, Moriba, also got on the scoresheet in Valencia’s emphatic 3-0 victory over La Nucia.
The 19-year-old midfielder, on loan at Valencia from RB Leipzig capped a brilliant display with a goal to put Valencia 2-0 up in their eventual 3-0 win.
Moriba has struggled for game time since his move to Valencia, and has started only four La Liga games out of a possible 15, but his performance in the Copa del Rey could see him contest more favourably for more minutes.
Other African players in the Copa Del Rey
In other Copa del Rey action, Getafe were dumped out of the competition following a 3-2 loss to Levante despite Moroccan forward Munir el Hadadi having a brilliant game.
The diminutive forward twice gave Getafe the lead, but on both occasions they were pegged back. First by Sergio Postigo and then by Alex Munoz before Wesley Moraes scored in the 91st minute to gift Leante a dramatic passage to the round of 16.