Antoine Semenyo supplied the decisive assist as Manchester City beat Coventry 1–0 at the Etihad Stadium.

The Ghana international finished with a 6.9 rating, 0.34 xA, three key passes and one big chance created.

Iliman Ndiaye provided City's strongest ball-carrying performance, recording seven progressive carries and 126.4 metres of progressive carrying distance before leaving injured in the 87th minute.

For Coventry, Taiwo Awoniyi had their clearest opportunity but missed a big chance worth 0.31 xG.

Ndiaye progressed. Semenyo created. City won.

Match Information

Competition: Premier League
Round: 3
Date: 5 September 2026
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Result: Manchester City 1–0 Coventry

African Performance Board

Semenyo 🇬🇭 — The Decisive Creator

Semenyo's 6.9 rating does not fully capture the importance of his attacking contribution.

He produced:

1 assist | 0.34 xA | 3 key passes | 1 big chance created | 2/3 accurate crosses

He also completed 30/33 passes (91%), including an outstanding 24/25 in Coventry's half (96%).

That combination matters. Semenyo was not simply retaining possession in advanced areas — he was creating from them.

His performance was not flawless. He completed 0/2 dribbles, won only 1/6 ground duels, was caught offside three times and recorded an error leading to a shot.

But in a match decided by one goal, Semenyo supplied the decisive action.

Ndiaye 🇸🇳 — City's Progression Leader

Ndiaye's 6.5 rating came with the strongest carrying numbers among City's African players:

7 progressive carries

126.4m progressive carrying distance

114.4m total progression

195.3m total carrying distance

23.6m longest progressive carry

He also completed 25/27 passes (93%), including 18/19 in Coventry's half.

Deduction treats total progression and progressive carrying distance as separate provider metrics, so the two figures should not be added together or treated as components of the same calculation.

What both tell us is straightforward:

Ndiaye repeatedly moved City forward with the ball.

The limitation was what happened afterwards.

Despite his progression, he produced only 0.04 xA and one key pass.

He also completed just 2/7 dribbles, lost possession 15 times and recorded an error leading to a shot.

Creation vs Progression

The contrast between City's two African attackers explains the match neatly.

Ndiaye was the stronger ball-progressor.

Semenyo was the stronger chance-creator.

That distinction is important.

Progression advances possession. Creation turns that territory into scoring opportunities.

Against Coventry, Semenyo ultimately supplied the final action that mattered.

Awoniyi 🇳🇬 — Coventry's Missed Opportunity

Awoniyi's 6.3 rating centred on one major moment.

His only shot generated:

0.31 xG

and was classified as a big chance missed.

In a 1–0 defeat, it was Coventry's opportunity to change the game.

Awoniyi nevertheless showed some transition threat with two progressive carries, 38.9m of progressive carrying distance and a 20.9m longest progressive carry.

He also completed 2/3 dribbles and reached 32.1 km/h.

But the missed chance remained the defining action.

The Other African Performances

Ayyoub Bouaddi 🇲🇦 — 6.7: Entered in the 76th minute and helped protect City's lead with two blocked shots and three recoveries.

Brandon Thomas-Asante 🇬🇭 — 6.5: Won 3/4 ground duels after entering in the 71st minute.

Frank Onyeka 🇳🇬 — 6.4: Completed 11/17 passes and recorded just 1.7m total progression during his 63 minutes.

Caleb Yirenkyi 🇬🇭 — 6.3: Struggled in possession with 5/12 passing, but contributed two interceptions and four recoveries after replacing Onyeka.

Deduction Verdict

🥇 Antoine Semenyo 🇬🇭 — 6.9

Semenyo takes Deduction's African Player of the Match.

His assist, 0.34 xA, three key passes and one big chance created provided the attacking quality that decided a tight contest.

Ndiaye supplied the stronger progression, producing seven progressive carries and 126.4m of progressive carrying distance, but that territorial advantage generated relatively little creation.

Awoniyi had Coventry's clearest opportunity, but his 0.31 xG big chance went unconverted.

Ndiaye drove City forward. Semenyo made the progression count.

Final Score

Manchester City 1–0 Coventry

African Player Ratings

🥇 🇬🇭 Antoine Semenyo — 6.9
🥈 🇲🇦 Ayyoub Bouaddi — 6.7
🥉 🇸🇳 Iliman Ndiaye — 6.5
🇬🇭 Brandon Thomas-Asante — 6.5
🇳🇬 Frank Onyeka — 6.4
🇳🇬 Taiwo Awoniyi — 6.3
🇬🇭 Caleb Yirenkyi — 6.3

Deduction African Player of the Match

Antoine Semenyo 🇬🇭 — 6.9

Deduction Key Metric

1 assist | 0.34 xA | 3 key passes | 1 big chance created

Semenyo did not dominate every metric. He dominated the one that ultimately mattered — creating the winning goal.

Deduction Football Intelligence — Tracking African Players Across the Globe.