This weekend would mark the end of most European football season but it has become rather intriguing as many leagues will only be decided on the final day.

The title race in England and Italy will most likely be a photo finish and will be concluded at the end of 90 minutes and with African stars playing a role in how the titles end up.

Algerian captain Riyad Mahrez could celebrate another Premier League win at the expense of Liverpool’s African contingent of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Joel Matip, Franck Kessie could bid AC Milan goodbye the end of this season with a trophy.

This weekend, many African stars will also be central to their sides’ chances of either cementing their league places or getting into Europe, while some will be pushed into relegation.

We bring you a preview of some continent star exports who are  expected to feature for their respective clubs around Europe this weekend

Riyad Mahrez: Manchester City

Manchester City are favourites to end the season with a fourth Premier League title in five years, but with Liverpool just one point behind, the pressure is surely cranking up for Riyad Mahrez and his Citizens teammates.

Mahrez’s missed penalty last week against West Ham United in a 2-2 could play a huge part if City fails to beat Aston Villa with Liverpool’s legend Steven Gerrard at the helms.

Pep Guardiola’s men will be out to avoid any slip against Villa knowing full well any dropped points could be capitalised on by Liverpool.

On the part of the Reds, Mohamed Salah’s fitness is still in doubt as he went off injured in last week’s FA Cup win over Chelsea, but Sadio Mane, Joel Matip and Naby Keita are all fit and likely to play a part as Liverpool battle Wolverhampton Wanderers while hoping their former captain can do them a favour.

A win for both sides mean the Reds will finish the campaign on 92 points, one behind their competitive rivals

Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech: Chelsea

Both Mendy and Ziyech featured in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City on Thursday and could keep their spots when the Blues host relegated Watford on Sunday.

The Hornets will want to depart the division on a high having endured a torrid year back in the Premier League but with Chelsea still smarting from losing the FA Cup to Liverpool and drawing against Leicester, that could be a tough task.

Mohamed Elneny:  Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur are favourites to secure that final top four spot after Arsenal blew away their chances in losing two consecutive matches to their North London rivals and Newcastle, but Mohamed Elneny and his teammates could still take advantage of any underwhelming result from Spurs.

The Gunners host Everton who secured their league status for another year, so Frank Lampard’s men may have little to play for on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.

Success for Arsenal and a defeat for Antonio Conte’s men at Norwich City would put Elneny and his teammates in next year’s Champions League at their rivals’ expense.

But even if results do not go their way, the Gunners are still guaranteed a Europa League spot next season.

Alex Iwobi: Everton

Everton’s roaring fightback against Crystal Palace on Thursday nightd means the Alex Iwobi and the Tofees will still play in the Premier League next season.

Therefore, their trip to Arsenal on Sunday will no longer define their season and the former Arsenal man could be in line for a start against the club he joined as a nine-year-old, looking to stop his old team from making the Champions League.

The ex-Arsenal man has often suffered defeat back at his old stomping ground and will seek a positive result at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey, Leon Balogun: Rangers

After suffering a devastating penalty kick defeat in the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Wednesday, the Rangers trio of Aribo, Bassey and Baligun will have to pick themselves up for this weekend’s Scottish Cup final against Hearts.

Aribo and Bassey are likely to start for the ‘Gers who look to end the campaign with some positivity after a season in which they have lost their Scottish Premiership title and suffered heartbreak in Europe, while Balogun may also have a chance coming off the bench.

Frank Kessie, Ismael Bennacer: AC Milan

Ivory Coast midfielder Frank Kessie will take to the pitch for the final time for AC Milan this weekend with Milan looking to end up as Scudetto champion.

Kessie who is leaving the San Siro for Barcelona next season and and his African colleague, Ismael Bennacer, should feature for Stefano Pioli’s men at Sassuolo where they need to avoid defeat to claim a first league title since 2011.

Kalidou Koulibaly, Victor Osimhen: Napoli

Napoli’s trio of Koulibaly, Osimhen and Anguissa are looking to help the Partenopei end the season on a high.

The Senegalese centre-back is reportedly said to be considering his future at Napoli and could be playing his last match this weekend at 16th-placed Spezia, the same as Osimhen who is at the centre of a transfer tussle between some top English teams.

Koulibaly has been one of Luciano Spalletti’s top players this season and the defender will seek a top performance against a side that have lost four of their last five league games, while Osimhen who was named the best U-23 player in the Serie A on Friday would be hoping to increase his goals tally beyond the 14 he currently has despite an injury plagued season.