African players to watch this weekend

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Riyad Mahrez

Both stars are shoo-ins to start when Arsenal and Manchester City face off in the first FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Aubameyang was a second-half substitute against Liverpool in midweek, likewise Mahrez who replaced Gabriel Jesus for a 13-minute cameo vs relegation-threatened Bournemouth.

Thus, the former African POTYs are likely to start with Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola seeking a place in August’s final.

Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe could also feature in some capacity as the Gunners look to upset the favourites.

Ismaila Sarr

Despite not scoring or assisting in Watford’s 2-1 wins over Norwich City and Newcastle United, Sarr’s pace and direct running has been a useful weapon for Nigel Pearson in attack.

Indeed, he won one of Troy Deeney’s penalties against Newcastle, a win that saw the Hornets temporarily open up a six-point lead over Bournemouth in 18th.

With Friday’s relegation six-pointer against West Ham United to come after the Cherries valiantly lost 2-1 vs Manchester City in midweek, Sarr and co. could reopen that advantage with two games to play.

A draw will leave Eddie Howe’s side requiring maximum points from his side in their final two games while hoping Watford and West Ham fail to win their games.

Serge Aurier
The Tottenham Hotspur right-back was a surprise inclusion in the XI that faced Newcastle United, days after the death of his brother.

Spurs played out a 3-1 win despite the Magpies probably deserving more on the balance of play.

Still, Mourinho wouldn’t care as his side’s unbeaten run now reads three wins and a draw in four games. They face a wobbling Leicester City side on Sunday knowing full well Chelsea and Manchester United, who meet in the second FA Cup semi, would have an eye on proceedings at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium given the tussle for UCL football.

Aurier is likely to battle Nigerian pair of Wilfred Ndidi, who conceded an unlucky penalty at Bournemouth on Sunday, and Kelechi Iheanacho, who was withdrawn at the break.

With the Lilywhites also fighting to play in Europe next season, Mourinho isn’t going to do the Foxes any favours in North London.

Said Benrahma

After scoring in three games on the spin, Benrahma finally fired blanks against Preston North End in midweek as Brentford won 1-0.

It wasn’t for the want of trying, however, as the Algerian playmaker attempted six shots on the day, to no avail.

By virtue of West Bromwich Albion’s draw with Fulham, Thomas Frank’s troops are now a point behind the Baggies with two games remaining.

If results go for them this weekend, a win over 17th-placed Stoke City could see them move into second spot in the Championship, supplanting Slaven Bilic’s side at the death.

The Bees are favourites to pick up a ninth league win on the spin, and will hope their star player has his shooting boots on after slightly misfiring against Preston.

Franck Kessie & Ismael Bennacer vs Musa Barrow

AC Milan navigated a tricky run of fixtures against Roma, Lazio, Juventus and Napoli unscathed, in part down to the influence of Kessie, who scored his second in three games, and Bennacer in midfield.

The latter didn’t start against Parma in midweek but ought to return Stefano Pioli’s XI for this weekend’s clash with Barrow’s Bologna.

The side from Emilia-Romagna haven’t picked up maximum points since beating Inter Milan at San Siro, remaining winless in three games.

Regardless, the Gambian forward’s 80th-minute equalizer against Napoli on Wednesday saw the Rossoneri move level with the side from Naples.

A win for Milan over the plucky Bologna could see Pioli’s side move into sixth-place in the table, the final Europa League spot in Serie A.

Kalidou Koulibaly
While Sunday’s 2-2 draw with AC Milan was understandable, a 1-1 stalemate against Bologna saw the side from Milan move level with Gennaro Gattuso’s side on 53 points.

Koulibaly was an unused substitute in the encounter but the Senegal star ought to return against inconsistent Udinese this weekend.

Napoli have edged this fixture over the years, staying unbeaten in this fixture since April 2016. Thus, Gattuso will hope for a return to winning ways for his team after recent draws have seen them lose their slight advantage on the Rossoneri.