African players of the weekend: Salah, Sinayoko and Jackson score before the break (7-8 Nov 2026)

It was the last league weekend before the international break and the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Several African players picked up confidence before joining their national teams. Here are the standouts.

🇸🇳 Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa): a goal and an assist at Old Trafford

Manchester United 4-4 Aston Villa (Premier League)

The Senegalese striker opened the scoring after just four minutes, then added an assist in a crazy game. United equalised with two stoppage-time goals. Jackson has 9 goals in 14 games this season and arrives in top form for Senegal vs Sudan on Thursday.

🇲🇱 Lassine Sinayoko (Paris FC): 9th goal, still Ligue 1's top scorer

Auxerre 0-1 Paris FC (Ligue 1)

The Malian striker scored the only goal of the game (63'). He has 9 goals in 10 games and remains Ligue 1's top scorer, great news for Mali ahead of their clash with Rwanda.

🇪🇬 Mohamed Salah (Trabzonspor): a goal and three chances created

Trabzonspor 2-0 Alanyaspor (Turkish Süper Lig)

The Egyptian scored in the 34th minute and created three chances. His Cape Verdean teammate Wagner Pina scored the other goal.

🇲🇦 Yassir Zabiri (Racing Santander): 9th goal of the season

Málaga 1-2 Racing Santander (La Liga)

The Moroccan striker scored his 9th goal of the season. He is in Morocco's squad to face Niger.

🇲🇦 Sofiane Diop (Nice): a goal in the 2nd minute

Nice 2-0 Angers (Ligue 1)

The Moroccan opened the scoring very early and created three chances.

🇬🇲 Ali Sowe (Rizespor): two goals

Rizespor 2-1 Erzurumspor (Turkish Süper Lig)

The Gambian scored both of his team's goals before facing Ivory Coast with his national team.

🇨🇩 Ezechiel Banzuzi (RB Leipzig)

Leipzig 5-2 Augsburg (Bundesliga)

The Congolese midfielder equalised in the 33rd minute and sparked Leipzig's big win.

🇸🇳 Pape Gueye (Villarreal)

Villarreal 2-0 Getafe (La Liga)

The Senegalese midfielder won the ball back eight times and created three chances. Cape Verdean defender Logan Costa was also solid (nine clearances).

Other African players to note

• Yann Gboho (Ivory Coast, Coventry): first Premier League goal, despite a 3-1 defeat at Everton.
• Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (Morocco, Rennes): assisted Boulaye Dia, despite a 2-1 home defeat to Lille.
• Hillel Konaté (Burkina Faso, Troyes): six saves against PSG (0-1 defeat).

Over to the international break

The AFCON 2027 qualifiers start this Wednesday. Jackson (Senegal), Sinayoko (Mali), Zabiri (Morocco) and Ali Sowe (Gambia) all arrive in form. Check out the full schedule and our predictions on FootballAfrik.