African Players in MLS Week 4
Written by Sam Mbonu
As the 2025 MLS regular season enters week 4, a total of 38 goals was scored in both eastern and western conference match ups. Just before the international break, several players of African descent who were in action contributed to their various club's week 4 objectives. Here is a breakdown of few outstanding performers.
Tani Oluwaseyi (Nigeria/Canada Minnesota United)
The Nigeria born Canadian striker, Tani Olwuaseyi grabbed a brace in Minnesota United 3-3 away draw at Sporting Kansas.
The Canadian international doubled Minnesota United lead in the 31st minute when he scored with left footed shot from the center of the box assisted by South African midfielder, Bongokuhle Hlongwane. Oluwaseyi terrorized Sporting Kansas; his previous two attempts were blocked.
Tani grabbed his brace in the 46th minute when he scored with left footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner and assisted by Joaquín Pereyra.
William Agada (Nigeria & Sporting Kansas City)
He was an unused substitute in Sporting Kansas City 3-3 draw with Minnesota United FC.
Kelvin Yeboah (Ghana & Minnesota United)
Ghanian Kelvin Yeboah came off the bench in the 74th minutes for Minnesota United in their 3-3 away draw at SKC.
The Ghanian was caught offside just 60 seconds into his introduction, won a freekick deep in stoppage time.
In 2025 MLS regular season, Yeboah has 3 starts and 1 sub appearance.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane (South Africa & Minnesota United)
Bongokuhle Hlongwane made his 4th MLS start this season for MNUFC in their 3-3 away draw at SKC.
The 24-year-old South African assisted Tani in the 31st minutes to give MNUFC a 2-0 lead against SKC.
His right footed shot from the central position outside the box was blocked by Logan Ndenbe in the 42nd minute, the Bafana Bafana player had another attempt on goal with a right footed shot from the right side of the box in the 83rd minutes and was blocked by Joaquín Fernández.
Bernand Kamungo (Tanzania & FC Dallas)
Bernand Kamungo came off the bench in the 56th minute for FC Dallas in their 1-0 home loss to Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Tanzanian born USMNT has 1 start and 3 substitute appearances for FC Dallas this season.
Tsiki Ntsabeleng (South Africa & FC Dallas)
Tsiki Ntsabeleng came off the bench in the 71 minutes for FC Dallas in their 1-0 home defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps. His goal attempt just 8 minutes after he came on was blocked by Jean Claude Ngando.
He has made 4 appearances this season all from the bench.
Aliyu Ibrahim
He was dropped for second consecutive games by Ben Olsen as Houston Dynamo lost 2-1 at home to Real Salt Lake.
Amine Bassi (Morocco & Houston Dynamo)
The Moroccan midfielder made his 4th start this season for Houston Dynamo. He smashed home what would have been Houston Dynamo go ahead goal, but it was cancelled.
Dennis Bounaga (Gabon & LAFC)
Gabonese striker, Dennis Bounaga started his 3rd game this season for LAFC in their 1-0 home defeat to Austin FC. Even Denis Bounaga has 3 goals in the Concacaf Champions Cup, he is yet to score for the black and gold this season in the MLS.
Osman Bukari (Ghana & Austin FC)
Ghanian forward, Osman Bukari started for Austin in their 1-0 away win at LAFC. Bukari nearly got on the scoresheet in the 48th minutes when his right foot shot goal attempt was saved by Hugo Lloris.
Yaw Yeboah (Ghana & LAFC)
Yaw Yeboah came off the bench in the 73rd minutes for LAFC in their 1-0 home loss to Austin FC.
Yeboah has 2 starts and 2 substitute appearances for LAFC this season.
Kévin Denkey (Togo & FC Cincinatti)
Togolese striker, Kevin Denkey made his 4th MLS start and 6th in all competitions this season for FC Cincinatti in their 2-0 away defeat at Charlotte FC.
The 24-year-old Togolese international nearly put Cincinatti in the lead just before half time with a right footed shot but the attempt was blocked by Charlotte FC’s Adilson Malanda.
Kevin Denkey has 2 goals in the MLS this season for FC Cincinatti
Obinna Nwobodo (Nigeria & FC Cincinatti)
The 28-year-old Nigerian midfielder started his 3rd MLS game for FC Cincinatti this season in their 2-0 away defeat at Charlotte FC. He played for 82 minutes and got himself a yellow card in the 76th minutes for poor sportsmanship.
FC Cincinatti are 8th in the eastern conference with 6 points from their opening 4 games.
Teenage Hadebe (Zimbabawe & FC Cincinatti)
The Zimbabwean defender came off the bench in the 30th minutes for Miles Robinson for FC Cincinatti. This is Teenage Hadebe’s 4th MLS appearance this season for Cincinatti, 3 starts and 1 substitute.
He won a free kick in the 41st minutes when he was fouled by Charlotte FC, Andrew Privett
Wilfred Zaha (Ivory Coast & Charlotte FC)
The Ivorian striker started for Charlotte FC in their 2-0 home win over FC Cincinatti.
Zaha nearly gave Charlotte an early lead in the 14th minute when he shot wide with his right foot from the central position outside the box. He was very impactful in the game for Charlotte as he won back-to-back free kicks in both 21st and 25th minutes respectively. The former Crystal Palace was close in giving Charlotte a 3-goal lead in the 57th minute when his right footed shot from the central position outside the box was saved by FC Cincinatti goalkeeper, Roman Celentano
Since joining Charlotte FC this season, the 32-year-old Ivorian has scored 1 goal in 3 MLS start.
Sunusi Ibrahim (Nigeria & CF Montreal)
Sunusi Ibrahim came off the bench in the 84th minute for CF Montreal in their goalless away draw against DC United at the Audi Field.
CF Montreal manager, Laurent Courtois has sparingly used Sunusi this season who has made 3 substitute appearances for Montreal this season.
Alhassan Yusuf (Nigeria & New England Revolution)
Alhassan made his 4th MLS start this season for New England Revolution who lost 2-1 at New York City as their search for first win of the season goes on.
Lalas Abubakar (Ghana & FC Dallas)
The 30-year-old Ghanian came off the bench in the 84th minutes in FC Dallas 1-0 home loss to Vancouver Whitecaps.
This is Lalas Abubakar’s only MLS appearance for FC Dallas this season as he has been an unused substitute in 3 previous games.
Nouhou Tolo (Cameroon & Seattle Sounders)
Nouhou Tolo made his 3rd MLS appearance this season for Seattle Sounders in their 1-0 away loss at St Louis City FC.
Emeka Eneli (USMNT & RSL)
The American born midfielder of Nigerian descent started his 3rd MLS game for RSL in 2-1 away win at Houston Dynamo. He assisted Diogo Gonçalves to score one of the fastest goals this season when RSL took the lead in the 60 seconds.
Ariath Piol (Australia & RSL)
The Australian forward of Sudanese descent made is 3rd start for RSL this season in their 2-1 away win at Houston Dynamo.
The 20-year-old forward joined RSL this season after a stellar stint with Macarthur FC played for 68 minutes.
Femi Awodesu (Houston Dynamo)
The young American born defender of Nigerian descent made his 4th MLS this season for Houston Dynamo in their 2-1 home defeat to RSL. Femi played for 90 minutes.
Willy Kumado (Ghana & San Diego FC)
Willy Kumado made his first MLS start for San Diego FC in their 1-1 home draw with Columbus Crew.
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