After a spending spree for the ages the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League began play over the weekend and it was a productive set of matches for African players. Big money signings Sadio Mané and Riyad Mahrez contributed for their respective clubs with differing outcomes to begin the campaign. Mahrez took part in the curtain raising match, a 3-1 victory for Al-Ahli in Jeddah where the Algerian superstar contributed an assist to Roberto Firmino’s hat-trick in the victory.
Mané got Al-Nassr off to an excellent start against Al-Ettifaq with his strike inside the opening five minutes but Nassr fell to an eventual defeat without Cristiano Ronaldo available. Watch the goal contributions from Mané and Mahrez as well as all the other goals and assists from African players on the opening weekend below.
Sadio Mané (Senegal) gets his debut Saudi Pro League campaign off and running with a debut goal in Al-Nassr’s defeat against Al-Ettifaq
Abderrazak Hamdallah (Morocco) receives a pass from Karim Benzema and fires Al-Ittihad into the lead at Al-Raed
Fashion Sakala (Zambia) puts Al-Fayha beyond reach of Al-Khaleej with a debut goal
Knowledge Musona (Zimbabwe) tallies the only goal to give newly promoted Al-Riyadh victory on his debut for the club
Saad Bguir (Tunisia) equalizes for Abha Club with a splendid long range effort in an eventual defeat to Al-Hilal
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) assists the second of Roberto Firmino’s three goals as Al-Ahli return to the top division with a victory over Al-Hazem
Sofiane Bendebka (Algeria) provides an excellent assist for the opening goal in Al-Fateh’s draw with Al-Taawon
