Cameroonian teen nets first UCL goal, Moroccan midfielder replies as Leverkusen and PSV share pointsAfrican Firepower: Cameroonian Kofane strikes on debut but Moroccan Saibari saves PSV with Champions...
Cameroonian teen nets first UCL goal, Moroccan midfielder replies as Leverkusen and PSV share points
African Firepower: Cameroonian Kofane strikes on debut but Moroccan Saibari saves PSV with Champions League equaliser
It was night defined by African excellence as Bayer Leverkusen & PSV Eindhoven played out 1 - 1 draw in the Champions League at the BayArena on Wednesday.
Christian Kofane’s debut strike looked set to seal victory for the German hosts but Morocco’s Ismael Saibari struck back swiftly to rescue the Dutch champions.
VAR drama and tight opening
PSV thought they'd early breakthrough when Ivan Perisic headed in Dennis Man’s cross after just 4 minute.
VAR intervened, however cancelling the goal for offside. Leverkusen responded strongly with Alejandro Grimaldo rattling the woodwork.
Kofane takes his chance
The breakthrough came in the 65 minute. A defensive lapse from PSV allowed 19 year old Cameroonian forward Christian Kofane to pounce stealing possession & finishing calmly for his first ever Champions League goal.
It was another landmark in the youngster’s rapid rise after joining Leverkusen from Albacete for over 5 million euro.
Le Calme et le sang-froid de l'attaquant camerounais Christian Kofane pour ouvrir compteur but en Ligue des Champions avec le Bayer Leverkusen ! pic.twitter.com/TIKsrJVyQb
— Griffe 2 F⚽⚽T🇨🇲 (@Griffe2Foot) October 1, 2025
🔴⚫️ En marquant face au PSV Eindhoven, Christian Kofane est devenu le plus jeune buteur de l’histoire du Bayer Leverkusen en Ligue des champions.
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) October 1, 2025
19 ans et 67 jours. 💫🇨🇲
[@Squawka] pic.twitter.com/vCo6S88aSW
Saibari hits back for PSV
The visitors struck back just 7 minute later. Guus Til teed up Ismael Saibari who produced clinical finish in the 72 minute to level the contest.
The Moroccan international, 1 of PSV’s most consistent performers, once again showed why he's becoming central to both club and country ahead of the 2025 Africa cup of Nations.
Ismaël Saibari devient le 𝟯𝗘𝗠𝗘 𝗠𝗘𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗨𝗥 𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗨𝗥 de l’histoire du PSV en Champions League. 🇳🇱🤯pic.twitter.com/mQmhGIxAgW
— ᴍᴏᴜɴᴛᴀᴋʜᴀʙ ғᴏᴏᴛ 🇲🇦 (@MountakhabFoot) October 1, 2025
Stalemate and next fixtures
Leverkusen pushed late on but couldn't find winner, with captain Grimaldo denied by goalkeeper Matej Kovar.
The draw leaves Leverkusen on 2 point after two match while PSV earned their 1st point following defeat in their opener.
Both teams now face huge tests next, with Leverkusen hosting champions PSG & PSV welcoming Napoli on 21 October.
Category: General Sports
