USL Championship Recap: Darren Smith continues hot start; Cameroonians shine

With little club football in action over the international break, it is an excellent opportunity to turn our eyes towards the American second tier USL Championship and highlight African players who are standing out in the early stages of the 2026 season.

South African forward Darren Smith had a hot start to the 2025 season before cooling down, but the former SuperSport United player is back in form. He scored again over the weekend to bring his total to four goals in three matches as Detroit City defeated Charleston Battery 1-0.

Who else did you expect?! 💥

Darren Smith bags a league-leading 4th goal of the season to give @DetroitCityFC a late lead! 👊 pic.twitter.com/lEE3aY9Y12

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) March 28, 2026

The Cape Town native, whose career has taken him to Finland and Morocco since leaving South African football in 2019, is finding stability in his career in the United States. He scored ten league goals last season and appears well on pace to enjoy an even more productive campaign in 2026.

Cameroonian forwards lead USL Championship teams to victories

Another player in hot form is 19-year-old Cameroonian forward Mathieu Ndongo. After struggling to make an impact in his first two matches with Miami FC, Ndongo made it back-to-back games with a goal in his team’s 2-1 victory over Rhode Island FC.

Mathieu Ndongo doubles @TheMiamiFC‘s lead with a beauty against his former club! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/dpINf5ud0R

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) March 29, 2026

It was a moment of redemption for Ndongo, who spent the 2025 season with Rhode Island but was rooted to the bench, only making one appearance in his debut season in the USA. However, he did show respect to his former club by not celebrating the goal. Ndongo previously spent time in Bahrain before moving to Rhode Island and then current club Miami.

Tied for second on the scoring charts early in the season is Ndongo’s compatriot, Albert Dikwa. Now in his tenth season in the United States, the 28-year-old struck twice in a 3-2 victory for Pittsburgh Riverhounds over Sporting Jacksonville.

Just like old times!

Albert Dikwa is back on the scoresheet for @RiverhoundsSC in Highmark Stadium! 😤 pic.twitter.com/83v3MDS3ue

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) March 28, 2026

Dikwa showed his instincts in the penalty area, taking advantage of chaos caused by a lifted pass into the Sporting Jax penalty area to collect the ball and maneuver his way into scoring position before firing in his finish.

Two goals in the opening half hour put hosts Pittsburgh on the right track but the visitors fought back with two goals in the span of five minutes in the second half. However, Dikwa’s penalty kick early in the second half was enough to help the hosts hold on despite the double blow.

Dikwa has spent his entire professional career in the United States, accumulating 66 goals and 25 assists in 235 appearances in the American second tier.