Salah, Jackson and African Ballon d’Or nominee Gueye named in weekend XI

Mohamed Salah, Nicolas Jackson and African Ballon d’Or 2026 nominee Pape Gueye are among the standout performers selected in the African weekend XI, with Morocco, Senegal and Cape Verde providing two players each.

The team, compiled using ratings from partner Sportmonks, highlights the performances of African players in Europe before the international break, which will include the third and fourth rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Morocco’s Sofiane Diop opened the scoring after only two minutes for OGC Nice in their 2-0 victory over Angers. The attacking midfielder also created three chances for his team-mates.

His compatriot Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal is included despite Rennes’ 2-1 defeat by Lille. The central defender was at fault for the opening goal but responded strongly, providing the assist for Boulaye Dia’s goal and creating four key passes.

Senegal also has two representatives. Gueye helped Villarreal beat Getafe 2-0 by winning back possession eight times and creating three chances. His performance comes after he was included among the 10 nominees for the African Ballon d’Or 2026.

Jackson played a decisive role in Aston Villa’s dramatic 4-4 draw with Manchester United. The Senegal forward scored once and supplied an assist as both sides shared eight goals.

Salah was also on target for Trabzonspor in their 2-0 away win at Alanyaspor. The Egypt winger scored his side’s second goal in the 34th minute and contributed three key passes in an influential attacking display.

Algeria midfielder Ramiz Zerrouki is another inclusion. He was again left out of Brahim Hemdani’s latest Algeria squad list, but impressed for FC Twente in their 2-2 draw with Ajax Amsterdam, recovering possession six times. His side secured a point with an equaliser in added time.

Burkina Faso goalkeeper Hillel Konate made six saves and recovered 10 balls despite Troyes’ 1-0 defeat by PSG. Those interventions were enough to earn him a place in goal.

In Portugal, Angola left-back Pedro Bondo made six tackles during Famalicao’s 1-0 win over Arouca.

The defence is completed by Cape Verde international Logan Costa, who helped Villarreal overcome Getafe. He made nine clearances and completed 92% of his passes.

His fellow Cape Verdean Wagner Pina also features after scoring in Trabzonspor’s victory at Alanyaspor.

Gambia forward Ali Sowe completes the XI after scoring twice for Rizespor in their 2-1 win against Erzurumspor.