Mohamed Toure double moves KuPS into Veikkausliiga top-3

Finland’s top flight Veikkausliiga is a popular first destination for promosing African footballers and Mohamed Toure is continuing to emerge this season. The Guinean forward scored a brace for Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS) on Tuesday as the club moved into third place with a dramatic 3-2 victory over SJK.

The talented young goal scorer now has ten goals this season for the reigning Finnish club champions, who moved into third place with the victory. Toure scored twice in the first half, beginning in the 17th minute when he was involved in the buildup during a quick counter-attack before applying the final touch from a cross.

Close to the half hour mark, Toure doubled his tally with a simple finish after the SJK goalkeeper spilled a cross right to the Guinean.

The title race continues to intensify with seven games remaining for Toure and KuPS. The club are four points back of league leaders Ilves with a top-3 finish guaranteeing qualification for UEFA club competition next season.

As the winners of last season’s Veikkausliiga title, KuPS took part in UEFA Champions League qualifying but fell by a narrow margin to Kazakh side Kairat Almaty in the qualifying stages, who ended up stunning Celtic FC to qualify for the league phase of the competition. Toure scored in the first leg.

KuPS proceeded to get dominated in the final stage of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, losing by a 0-6 aggregate score to Danish side FC Midtjylland after dropping down to Europe’s second biggest interclub competition following their defeat to Kairat. However, the club will compete in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.

Mohamed Toure’s breakout season in Europe with KuPS

Toure’s debut Veikkausliiga season has had moments of inconsistency but he has been explosive at times, currently sitting tied for fifth place on the top scorer chart. Considering he was a bit part player with Finnish second tier side TPS last season, his progress is notable as he accelerates his development since moving to Europe from Guinean club ASM Sangarédi ahead of the 2024 season.

KuPS and Toure are in action again on Saturday with a league match at Gnistan before continuing their European adventure with their opening match from the Conference League proper at home against Kosovar club KF Drita.

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