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Five outstanding Africans from around the world this weekend

Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Premier League is back, and Africa's stars wasted little time in demonstrating that they remain among the some of the most impactful players in the top flight.

Some familiar faces reminded us of their qualities, while a few of the continent's new boys stole the show.

Here are our top five African performers from the weekend's action around the world.

Steve Mounie: Huddersfield Town completed a fairytale return to the top table when they were promoted via the playoffs last season, despite little being expected of them. However, while their summer spending has been ambitious, they're among the favourites to return straight back down to the second tier.

The evidence of their opener - a 3-0 away win at Crystal Palace - suggests that yet again they might have been written off too soon, while the performance of new frontman Mounie offers encouragement that they'll have the firepower to stave off relegation.

The Benin frontman - signed for a club-record £11.4 million from Montpellier - adapted seamlessly to life in the Premier League, and struck twice against Palace.

He idolised Didier Drogba as a youngster, and can now set about emulating the Ivorian legend's success in England.

Ahmed Hegazi: Another new boy to make a big impact in the Premier League this weekend was Egypt's Hegazi. The rugged centre-back looked a natural fit for Tony Pulis's 'no-frills' approach to football, although he has to prove he can adapt to life in the top flight...in contrast to some of his countrymen before him.

The initial impression was excellent, as the former Fiorentina man proved to be the match winner as his header from an excellent Chris Brunt delivery settled West Bromwich Albion's opener with Bournemouth.

Hegazi's physicality and determination served him well on Saturday, while his composure in possession may help him keep his place ahead of Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley when they return.

Mohamed Salah: This weekend wasn't the Premier League's first introduction to Salah - as it was for Hegazi and Mounie - but the forward still needs to prove that he can cut it in England after a frustrating first spell with Chelsea.

The Egypt international will have silenced many of his doubters this weekend, with a performance that showcased his technical class, his intelligence and his pace.

Liverpool may have drawn, but Salah, who won a penalty and scored the goal that would have been the winner had it not been for Miguel Britos's late intervention, demonstrated all the hunger and innovation that you'd expect from a Jurgen Klopp forward.

Sol Bamba made our top five of the weekend after his showing in Cardiff City's Championship opener, and the Ivorian centre-back - once the laughing stock of African football - makes our quintet once again.

The capital club find themselves atop the second tier after two matches following their 3-0 triumph over much fancied Aston Villa.

Steve Bruce packed his side with experienced campaigners during the summer - bringing John Terry, Chris Samba and Ahmed Elmohamady to Villa Park - but it was Bamba whose leadership shone through on Saturday.

The Ivorian was at the heart of what was a united Cardiff effort in a 3-0 triumph, acting as the on-field image of his manager Neil Warnock, and cajoling his teammates, motivating them and insisting on calm as the Villains sought to find a way back into the match.

Khalid Boutaib: There was drama at Racing Club de Strasbourg this weekend, as the returning Alsatians thumped goalkeeper-less LOSC Lille 3-0.

Senegalese veteran Kader Mangane was outstanding for Racing, but making our top five this week is Boutaib - a player who left Strasbourg for Turkey this summer.

The Morocco international was influential in Ligue 2 last term, but opted for Yeni Malatyaspor rather than another shot at the French top flight.

First impressions are that it was a wise move, as Boutaib took to the Super Lig with ease this weekend, when he marked his debut with two goals as Osmanlispor were defeated 3-1.

Despite their victory this weekend, you suspect Strasbourg may well miss their departed talented North African attacking midfielder as their Ligue 1 campaign wears on.