Champions League: Hakimi one assist away from Eto'o's African record, Guirassy enters top 5

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the third matchday of the Champions League league phase had two African faces: that of Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, who provided an assist in Paris Saint-Germain's victory against FC Barcelona (4-2) at the Parc des Princes, and that of Guinean Serhou Guirassy, who scored a brace in Baku to give Borussia Dortmund a 2-1 win over Sabah FK.

Hakimi, nineteen assists and a record in sight

In the 86th minute, the Moroccan right-back crossed for Fabián Ruiz, who scored the fourth Parisian goal. This delivery is Hakimi's nineteenth in the competition: he joins Egyptian Mohamed Salah and becomes the second-highest African assist provider in Champions League history, one unit behind Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o (20), according to statistics from Statsdufoot reported by Africa Top Sports and Goal.

The detail is worth noting: Hakimi is neither a winger nor a center-forward. It is from his right flank, as a defender, that he is approaching a mark held by one of the greatest strikers the continent has ever produced.

Guirassy in the top 5 African scorers

The same evening, in Azerbaijan, Serhou Guirassy struck in the 10th and 53rd minutes to revive a struggling Borussia Dortmund. His two goals bring his total to 23 in the Champions League and place him in the top 5 African scorers of the tournament, behind Mohamed Salah (50), Didier Drogba (44), Samuel Eto'o (30), and Sadio Mané (27), according to Africafoot.

Other Africans made an impact on the evening. Nigerian Ademola Lookman provided the assist for Julián Álvarez's goal during the draw between VfB Stuttgart and Atlético Madrid (1-1), according to Africa Radio, which also recorded a goal by South African Aden McCarthy for Sabah FK.

A lineage, not a series of flashes in the pan

These numbers tell a story beyond just a good night. In the most-watched club competition on the planet, players trained in Africa or from its diaspora are not just filling out rosters: they are deciding them. From Eto'o to Drogba, from Salah to Mané, the continent has established a lineage that Hakimi and Guirassy are extending, each in their own way.

Achraf Hakimi now needs one more assist to equal Samuel Eto'o at the top of the African rankings. The league phase continues, and Paris Saint-Germain, whose victory against Barça puts them at the top of the table according to Africafoot, will offer him further opportunities.