Who were Africa's star performers around the world this weekend?
Thomas Partey: For a player who made his name primarily as a destroyer, Partey has been busy showcasing the offensive qualities to his midfield game this season.
During Ghana's 5-1 rout of Congo-Brazzaville in World Cup qualifying, he became the first Black Star to net a hat-trick since Jordan Ayew in 2014, and has followed that up with a series of decisive contributions for Atletico Madrid.
In midweek, he scored the equaliser as Atleti avoided an ignominious home defeat by Qarabag, and he was again among the goals this weekend.
For the second time in a week, Partey bailed Diego Simeone's side out when he netted a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a 1-0 triumph against Deportivo La Coruna as the Rojiblancos avoided a seventh draw in their last eight games.
The midfielder's thunderous long-range effort was unstoppable, and while all isn't rosy for Atletico, without the Ghana international, they'd be a whole lot worse!
Franck Kessie: One of the most notable omissions from CAF's 30-man shortlist for the African Player of the Year award, Kessie again demonstrated why he deserves to be considered among the continent's elite this weekend.
He hasn't had things entirely his way since swapping Atalanta for AC Milan in the summer, with the Rossoneri suffering some early teething problems as their new revolution gets underway, but was excellent this weekend in a 2-0 victory away at Sassuolo.
The powerhouse created two goalscoring chances for his teammates, registered a 93.8 percent pass accuracy, and completed four successful dribbles - a game-high - during a masterful display.
Mohamed Salah: Liverpool have struggled to get all of their star men on the pitch at the same time this season, with Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane both missing gametime through a combination of injury and suspension.
This weekend, with Coutinho and Adam Lallana absent, it was left to Salah and Mane to inspire Liverpool to victory.
While the Senegal international made his triumphant comeback from injury with two assists as West Ham United were slain 4-1, Salah was the Reds' star men.
He troubled Winston Reid and Cheikhou Kouyate for the duration with his probing closing down and intelligent movement, and weighed in with two goals during a glittering offensive display.
It's hard to deny that the Egypt international is the early frontrunner for the 2017 African Player of the Year award.
Almamy Toure hasn't always convinced Leonardo Jardim that he deserves to be AS Monaco's first-choice right-back, with the likes of Fabinho, Djibril Sidibe and Nabil Dirar represent stiff competition in recent seasons.
However, after delivering arguably the finest performance of his career in the Monegasques' 6-0 demolition of Guingamp on Saturday, the Malian is surely worthy of his starting spot.
The 21-year-old contributed a hat-trick of assists - two of which were for international Adama Traore - during an outstanding wide display in which he demonstrated his searing pace, his admirable technique and, perhaps most impressively, his bravery to try new things.
Karim El Ahmadi: It has the potential to be a magnificent week for Moroccan football, as Wydad Casablanca beat Al Ahly to win the CAF Champions League at the weekend and the Atlas Lions can seal their spot in Russia this weekend.
One of Herve Renard's key men as he looks to avoid defeat against the Ivory Coast will be midfield general El Ahmadi.
The veteran demonstrated his enduring qualities last weekend when he delivered an influential display in the Feyenoord midfield as the Dutch champions avoided a 2-1 defeat at ADO Den Haag.
In the 86th minute, it was El Ahmadi himself - typically charged with defensive duties - who stepped up to hit a late leveller when he tore into the box and sent a right-footed finish past Rob Zwinkels.
Renard will be hoping that such an intervention isn't necessary in Abidjan on Saturday, but if Morocco are down and out, don't back against El Ahmadi being the saviour.