Nicolas Jackson double and Fares Ghedjemis assists earn African team of the weekend honours

Nicolas Jackson’s two-goal display against Manchester City and Fares Ghedjemis’ three-assist performance for Frosinone headline the African team of the weekend for 23 to 25 October, which also includes three Morocco internationals.

The selection is based on ratings provided by partner Sportmonks.

Jackson was the standout performer for Aston Villa as the Senegal international scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Manchester City. The result ended Manchester City’s unbeaten run in the league and made the forward the decisive figure in the match.

Ghedjemis was equally influential in a remarkable Serie A contest between Atalanta Bergamo and Frosinone, which finished 4-4. The Algeria winger supplied three assists and created seven chances, playing a central role in his side’s attacking performance.

The front three is completed by South Africa’s Relebohile Mofokeng. He scored once and set up another goal as Union Saint-Gilloise beat Cercle Bruges 5-2.

Morocco’s strong representation

Three Morocco players feature in the African selection. Oussama Targhalline produced a disciplined midfield performance against PSV Eindhoven, making five successful tackles during Feyenoord’s 1-1 draw. His contribution helped the Dutch side recover after falling behind.

In defence, Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal stood out in Rennes’ 3-0 win against Strasbourg. The centre-back made seven clearances and completed 91% of his passes as Rennes controlled the match.

Omar El Hilali was selected at right-back after making six clearances for Espanyol Barcelona in their 2-1 defeat by Racing Santander. His Morocco team-mate Yassir Zabiri scored again for Racing Santander.

Algeria’s Rafik Belghali also impressed, scoring a superb goal for Torino, but El Hilali edged him in the ratings, receiving 7.8 compared with Belghali’s 7.4.

Senegal goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf, who plays for Nice, takes his place between the posts after making six saves and recovering the ball 13 times against Brest. His most important intervention came in added time, when he stopped a penalty to preserve Nice’s 2-1 victory, despite being at fault for the opposition goal.

Burkina Faso left-back Arsene Kouassi was chosen ahead of Cameroon’s Mahamadou Nagida despite Lorient’s goalless draw with Angers. Kouassi completed 96% of his passes and created three chances. Nagida, however, provided an assist for Rennes against Strasbourg.

Cameroon are also represented by Lorient midfielder Arthur Avom, who made three key passes and recovered seven balls. Himad Abdelli completes the midfield after scoring against Le Havre in Olympique de Marseille’s 4-3 victory. The Algeria international also regained possession eight times in the high-scoring match.

Nigeria centre-back Chidozie Collins Awaziem completes the team after an outstanding afternoon for Konyaspor against Genclerbirligi. The former Nantes defender scored twice and made seven clearances in a 2-0 win.