Africans impact Ligue 1 survival and UEFA qualification races

Omna Taddele
May 4
2 min read

**Marseille forward Amine Gouiri. Olympique de Marseille/Facebook**

Africans were prolific on the scoresheet during Week 32 of from France's Ligue 1, with Angers and Le Havre registering crucial wins in their battle for league survival. Amine Gouiri’s fine form continued for Olympique de Marseille in a 1–1 draw against Lille.

Algerian striker Gouiri was on target as OM shared the spoils with Lille. The 25-year-old opened the scoring for Marseille in the 57th minute but his goal wasn’t enough to secure a crucial win for the southern French outfit, as they settled for a point in Lille.

Since joining OM, Gouiri has recorded 11 goal contributions in 12 games, including four goals in his last two matches. OM remain second with 59 points, and the race for UEFA Champions League qualification is heating up with just two rounds remaining in Ligue 1.

Gabon international Jim Allevinah’s second-half strike was the difference between Angers and Nantes in Brittany. With the vital victory, Angers pulled two points clear of the drop zone and now sit 14th with 33 points. The former Clermont winger also celebrated his first Ligue 1 goal for Angers.

Le Havre continued their fight for league survival with a hard-fought 2–1 away victory over Auxerre. Malian striker Lassine Sinayoko gave Auxerre the lead with a well-taken finish, but Senegalese defender Arouna Sangante rose highest in the 92nd minute to head home the winner.

Although Le Havre remain in the relegation zone, the crucial win saw them close the gap to just one point from safety, marking a significant step forward in Week 32.

A goal from Central African Republic international Goduine Koyalipou and a beautiful strike by Morocco's Anass Zahoury inspired RC Lens to a 2–1 victory over Lyon at the Groupama Stadium. Lyon’s hopes of European qualification were dealt a heavy blow, with Koyalipou scoring his fourth goal of the season since joining the club in January 2025. Sunday's goal was Zaroury's first for Lens, who currently sit eighth with 48 points.