Muamba collapse overshadows African feats

PARIS (AFP) - The collapse of DR Congo-born Fabrice Muamba with cardiac arrest while playing for Bolton against Tottenham in the FA Cup overshadowed the feats of fellow Africans around Europe at the weekend.

Midfielder Muamba remained in a "critical condition" in a London hospital two days after the drama that forced the quarter-final at White Hart Lane to be abandoned before half-time.

Recent Newcastle United signing Papiss Demba Cisse netted the winner against Norwich in the Premier League and fellow Senegalese striker Mame Biram Diouf bagged a brace for victorious Hanover 96 in the Bundesliga.

ENGLAND

PAPISS DEMBA CISSE (Newcastle)

Scored the Magpies' 11th-minute winner in their 1-0 Premier League victory over Norwich and could have had more goals against the Canaries. The Senegal striker should have put his side ahead after just 80 seconds but squandered the chance with a weak finish. He made amends in the 11th minute with a flick of his right boot after beating Zak Whitbread to Jonas Gutierrez's cross.

MAHAMADOU DIARRA (Fulham)

Spent much of his weekend in a fruitless pursuit of the ball as newcomrs Swansea outpassed Fulham in a 3-0 Premier League victory at Craven Cottage. The only consolation for the Malian was that he was not alone in being over-run in the Fulham midfield.

YOUSSOUF MULUMBU (West Brom)

The Democratic Republic of Congo midfielder was typically industrious in a 1-1 Premier League draw at strugglers Wigan. But Wigan manager Roberto Martinez felt he should have been sent off when, after 70 minutes, he reacted to a challenge by James McArthur by shoving the Latics man. "There was nothing wrong with McArthur's challenge," said Martinez. "He tries to win the ball."

FRANCE

NICOLAS N'KOULOU (Marseille)

Cameroon defender N'Koulou was red-carded in his team's 2-1 defeat to Dijon when he brought down Koro Kone in the 78th minute. On-loan Chelsea midfielder Gael Kakuta added insult to injury when he converted the penalty kick.

BRUNO ECUELE MANGA (Lorient)

Gabon centre-half Manga was on target in the 52nd minute for Lorient in the 2-1 win over Brest which eased his team's relegation fears.

CHEICK DIABATE (Bordeaux)

Mali striker Diabate, a target for Newcastle United last year, scored in the 70th minute against Ajaccio for his fifth league goal of the campaign. But the visitors levelled in the last minute.

GERMANY

CEDRICK MAKIADI (Freiburg)

The Democratic Republic of Congo midfielder captained Freiburg to their second win in three games and scored his fourth goal of the season in the 3-1 victory at Hamburg. The 28-year-old slotted home into the right corner on 72 minutes when he latched onto the rebound after a free-kick from midfielder Julian Schuster clipped the wall.

SAMI ALLAGUI (Mainz 05)

The Tunisia striker gave his side a first-half lead in the 2-1 defeat at Augsburg, who hit back with goals either side of half-time. The 25-year-old took a pass from Cameroon's Eric Choupo-Moting before slotting home in the 36th minute.

MAME BIRAM DIOUF (Hanover 96)

The Senegal and ex-Manchester United striker netted twice for the north German club in their 4-1 drubbing of Cologne. The 24-year-old came off the bench just after the break and having fired home on 67 minutes, added a header 16 minutes later to claim his fourth goal in six games since moving from Old Trafford in January.

ITALY

SULLEY MUNTARI (AC Milan)

The Ghana midfielder did not have his best game in the red and black shirt but fought hard throughout the 2-0 win at Parma. He was inaccurate at times in his passing and he didn't have his shooting boots on either. Muntari was substituted late on as Gennaro Gattuso returned to action for the first time since September.

McDONALD MARIGA (Parma)

The Kenya star was a powerful presence in the middle of the park but could do nothing to prevent Parma losing to Milan. He displayed a mix of good technique and an impressive physique but was forced off with a muscle problem, leaving Parma with a big hole in midfield.

KWADWO ASAMOAH (Udinese)

The Ghana midfielder, a reported target for Manchester United, was a busy worker in Udinese's 2-2 draw with Napoli. Asamoah worked hard to get up and support the attack when he could but spent most of the night covering his defence, especially after Udinese were reduced to 10 men.

SPAIN

AROUNA KONE (Levante)

Levante returned to the Champions League places after a 1-0 victory over Villarreal, where Kone worked hard in attack but did not receive much service with most of the match a dour midfield battle. The Ivorian was left to battle alone but Levante still managed to win thanks to an injury-time goal.

FREDERIC KANOUTE (Sevilla)

The Mali striker may be coming toward the end of his career but the technically strong player remains an important part of the Sevilla team, although he was unable to prevent them losing 2-0 at home to Barcelona. Leading the line, Kanoute struggled to assert himself with Barca dominant but went close to scoring before the break with a fine turn and a shot which went narrowly past the post and minutes later he was denied by goalkeeper Victor Valdes.