Africans on target in Russian league

The first match day of the new season in Russia brought a number of goals from its African stars.

But a goal apiece from two of continent's big names was not enough to secure a win for big-spending title favourites Anzhi Makhachkala.

Anzhi, who splashed out about 240m euros ($310m) since they were purchased by oil and metal tycoon Suleiman Kerimov in 2011, were held to a 2-2 by Lokomotiv Moscow.

Senegalese forward Dame N'Doye put Lokomotiv ahead in the 63rd minute with a close-range header but Anzhi soon turned the game on its head through Cameroon skipper Samuel Eto'o and Ivory Coast striker Lacina Traore, who netted just four minutes apart.

However, the hosts failed to see it through as late substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko rounded off the scoring with just a minute to go to level matters.

Anzhi had a chance to score a winner in injury time as they were awarded a penalty after Traore was felled in the box but Brazilian goalkeeper Marinato Guilherme saved Eto'o's spot-kick.

Elsewhere, Democratic Republic of Congo forward Mulumba Mukendi was on the scoresheet for Volga, who drew 2-2 away at Dynamo Moscow.