
Marshall Munetsi scored as Paris FC earned a crucial clean sheet. Photo: Paris FC (@ParisFC/X)
African players dominated the headlines in France’s Ligue 1 over the weekend, with five players honored in the Team of the Week authored by L’Équipe.
L’OM, le Paris FC, Lens et Brest voient double dans l’équipe type de la 24e journée de Ligue 1
➡️ https://t.co/eaPldX1pdL pic.twitter.com/1YaDxrSJ6Y
— L’Équipe (@lequipe) March 2, 2026
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued to show that age is nothing but a number after the 36-year-old scored two late goals to lift Olympique Marseille to a crucial victory over fellow top-4 club Olympique Lyonnais.
The Gabonese star is shaking off a disastrous 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at the beginning of 2026 by responding on the pitch for his club. He played the full ninety minutes for OM, scoring twice in the final twenty minutes to complete a remarkable turnaround in a 3-2 victory for Les Dogues at the Stade Vélodrome.
Marseille’s hero: Pierre. Emerick. Aubameyang. 🇬🇦 pic.twitter.com/btMzfvPGZC
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 1, 2026
He is proving to be a valuable addition to the OM attack, whether as a substitute or in the starting XI with 12 goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season. In addition, former Senegal national team defender Habib Beye was named Coach of the Week after earning his first victory in charge of OM.
Paris FC was named as the Team of the Week by L’Équipe after a focused and determined performance against Nice. A 1-0 victory was anchored by a strong defensive effort led by Senegalese center back Mamadou Mbow, who seemed to be everywhere as the club came out on top in a crucial relegation six-pointer.
Deuxième but en 2 matchs pour Marshall 😍
Pas mal non ? 😌
🔵⚪️ #CertifiéParis #ParisFC I #PFCOGCN pic.twitter.com/sy6McQx316
— Paris FC (@ParisFC) March 2, 2026
Zimbabwe national team star Marshall Munetsi scored the first half match winner for Paris FC, his second goal in as many matches to continue a strong start on loan from Premier League club Wolves.
Another player who is enjoying an excellent 2026 so far is Senegalese forward Bamba Dieng. Out of contention for a place in the Senegal national team for a long period now, the 25-year-old is continuing a resurrection at FC Lorient with two goals in his club’s 2-2 draw against Auxerre.
𝘾𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚 🦁🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/aLuTh5agg3
— FC LORIENT 🐟 (@FCLorient) March 2, 2026
An important member of the Lions of Teranga during their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations title-winning run, Dieng now has nine goals in as many matches in 2026 and is making a serious push to be included in Senegal coach Pape Thiaw’s 2026 World Cup team after missing out on the team’s victorious 2025 AFCON tournament.
For his performance on Friday in RC Lens’ 1-1 draw at Strasbourg, Mali national team midfielder Mamadou Sangaré was also included among the players honored. His second goal of the Ligue 1 campaign gave the surprise second place club a point away from home.
Mamadou Sangaré’s rocket 🇲🇱 pic.twitter.com/rz01VSEvRw
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 2, 2026
The 23-year-old central midfielder is one of the breakout stars of the 2025-26 season across European club football as well as among African players. Since joining from Austrian Bundesliga club Rapid Wien, Sangaré has become an integral player for Lens coach Pierre Sage with his ability to contribute on both defense and in attack.
In addition, he is now a key player for the Mali national team after impressive performances with Les Aigles at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
Zimbabwe national team rising star Tawanda Maswanhise has added another remarkable achievement to his growing reputation in the Scottish Premiership, continuing what has been a breakthrough 2026 season for the talented forward.
The Warriors attacker has been in red-hot form ever since bursting onto the continental stage at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Despite Zimbabwe’s narrow 3-2 defeat to South Africa, Maswanhise announced himself in style by scoring and providing an assist, catching the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Since returning to club duty, the striker has seamlessly carried that momentum into domestic competition, proving that his AFCON performances were no fluke.
Over the weekend, Tawanda Maswanhise delivered yet another standout display, scoring a brace as Motherwell cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Dundee United at Fir Park.
His clinical double took his tally to 21 goals in all competitions this season, underlining his importance to the team. The performance not only secured three vital points but also placed his name alongside some of the club’s historic figures.
Motherwell confirmed that he became the first player to score 20 goals in a single season since Kevin van Veen achieved the feat in 2023. Even more impressively, the Zimbabwean forward matched a record that had stood for 63 years, becoming just the eighth Motherwell player in that period to reach the 20-goal mark in a single campaign.
The variety of his goals — ranging from composed finishes inside the box to powerful strikes from distance — has highlighted his technical growth and maturity.
Beyond individual milestones, Tawanda Maswanhise has played a central role in Motherwell’s strong run of form this season.
The club, led by head coach Jens Askou, has now gone 12 matches unbeaten in the league. That consistency has kept them firmly in the title conversation and boosted belief within the squad.
In league action alone, the Zimbabwe international has scored 16 goals in 25 appearances, demonstrating remarkable efficiency in front of goal. Across all competitions, he has recorded 21 goals in 34 matches — a return that firmly establishes him among the league’s most dangerous forwards.
His performances were recognized in January 2026 when he was named Premiership Player of the Month, further cementing his rise as one of Scotland’s standout performers this season.
Maswanhise’s continued development is not only good news for Motherwell but also for the Zimbabwe national team.
At just the beginning of his European breakthrough, the forward is showing signs of becoming one of Zimbabwe’s most influential players in recent years. His confidence, movement, and composure in front of goal suggest that he is entering a crucial stage of his career.
If he maintains this scoring rhythm, 2026 could mark the year he transitions from rising talent to established star in Scottish football.
For now, Tawanda Maswanhise continues to make history — and there appears to be much more to come.