Abang, Tissoudali and more: African players light up UAE Adnoc Pro League

Moroccan attacker Tarik Tissoudali scored in Khor Fakkan's UAE Pro League victory. Photo Credit: Khor Fakkan FC

The influence of African players remains strong in the UAE's Adnoc Pro League as Matchweek 20 witnessed influential performances from several players across different clubs—even before the round was completed.

Anatole Abang (Cameroon) – Al Bataeh & Walid Azaro (Morocco) – Ajman

In a clash that saw Africans dominate the scoresheet, Ajman drew 1-1 with Al Bataeh. Cameroonian forward Anatole Bertrand Abang opened the scoring for Al Bataeh in the 26th minute, heading home a cross.

Anatole Abang has reached his 10th goal of the season in the UAE Adnoc Pro League, placing the former New York Red Bulls striker third in the top scorers’ chart—seven goals behind the leader, Togo national team and Al Ain striker Kodjo Laba.

Ajman equalized in the 53rd minute after an assist from Moroccan forward Walid Azaro. He passed the ball to his teammate Lithierry who fired a long-range strike that found the net.

With this assist, Azaro now ranks second in the league's assist chart, having created 7 goals—just one behind the current leader.

Ajman currently sits 9th in the table with 26 points, while Al Bataeh are in 12th with 20 points.

Tarik Tissoudali (Morocco) – Khorfakkan

Moroccan winger Tarik Tissoudali led Khorfakkan to an away win over Dibba Al-Hisn with a well done goal. In the 61st minute, Tissoudali fired a precise shot from inside the box, beating the goalkeeper for the decisive goal.

Since joining Khorfakkan on loan from Greek giants PAOK in February, Tissoudali has scored three goals and provided three assists in six league appearances—averaging a goal contribution per game.

Khorfakkan is now 6th in the standings with 30 points.

Viv Solomon-Otabor (Nigeria) – Al Urooba

Nigerian winger Solomon-Otabor Viv continued his fine form by assisting the winning goal for Al Urooba in their 1-0 victory over Ittihad Kalba.

In the 74th minute, he delivered a corner kick that was headed home by teammate Sinisa Jolacic.

This marks back-to-back goal contributions for the English-born Solomon-Otabor, who had scored in the previous match—a 2-1 defeat to Baniyas. The 29-year-old is uncapped by Nigeria but was previously called up in 2019, remaining on the bench in a friendly against Brazil.

Despite the win, Al Urooba remain bottom of the table in 14th place with just 6 points, trailing the first safety spot by 14 points.

Marouane Azarkan (Morocco) – Al Nasr

Moroccan forward Marouane Azarkan played a vital role in helping Al Nasr salvage a 2-2 draw against Al Wahda. Azarkan delivered an assist in the 79th minute, curling in a left-footed cross that was headed in by Ali Mabkhout for the equalizer.

Al Nasr now sit 8th in the league standings with 27 points.