Africans in Europe: Agnero rescues Halmstads, Olaitan fails to save Grenoble

Photo Credit - Grenoble Foot 38.

African stars continue to mesmerize the European scenes with goals and breathtaking performances for their various clubs. With the various European leagues drawing closer to the end, players will look to tally more goals to wind down on the season.

One player who has been instrumental for his club is Benin national team striker Junior Olaitan who registered a goal for French League 2 side Grenoble away to FC Annecy on Saturday. The 23-year-old, born to a Nigerian father and a Beninese mother, equalized for Grenoble on the 34th minute after Clement Billemaz had shot Annecy ahead on the 28th minute.

The visitors managed to squeeze through the 1-1 score line into the half time break. Grenoble were however hypnotized in the second half with two quick goals in five minutes when Antoine Larose and Clement Billemaz scored each on the 46th and the 51st minute to settle the game at 3-1 in full time.

Despite the loss, Grenoble remained in ninth on 46 points from 34 matches with Annecy in 6th on 51 points. Junior Olaitan lasted 65 minute after being replaced by Eddy Sylvestre. His goal increased his tally to four in 24 matches with three assists this season.

In the Swedish Allsvenskan, Ivory Coast youth international Yannick Agnero’s 47th minute solitary strike earned Halmstads BK a 1-0 win at Brommapojkarna. Halmstads BK per their slim victory, moved into 10th on the league table with 10 points from eight matches.

Yannick Agnero, 22, has now scored four goals in eight league games this season. In the Austrian Bundesliga, Mali youngster, Mahamadou Diarra scored in the 90th minute as WSG Tirol battered Austria Klagenfurt by 4-1 at their backyard.

He joined the fray on the 83rd minute and quickly made his presence felt. Diarra, 21, has now scored three goals in 23 league games with an assist to his name. His effort helped Tirol move into 3rd on 19 points.