African club round-up: Dynamos power to the top in Zambia

African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent and our weekly round-up of league action highlights a selection of the most important results.

ZAMBIA
Power Dynamos moved ahead of ZESCO United on goal difference at the head of the Super League standings following a 3-1 victory at Kabwe Warriors on Saturday.
Dynamos have 48 points from 26 games with Warriors third place with 44 points, while Nkana FC and Red Arrows both have 43 and are also still in what is shaping up to be a dramatic conclusion to the season with eight rounds of fixtures to play. Chifundo Mphatsi netted a brace for Dynamos and Austin Muwowo scored a penalty in Dynamos’ victory at Kabwe, taking advantage of ZESCO’s goalless home draw to relegation-threatened Forest Rangers. Nkana were 1-0 winners over fellow Copperbelt side Mufulira Wanderers in Kitwe on Sunday as Congolese forward Idris Mbombo netted the only goal of the game. They caught up to Red Arrows, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Nkwazi in Lusaka as they dropped two more points. Sunday’s match between Lumwana Radiants and Green Buffaloes in Lumwana was postponed to Monday at 10h00 due to bad weather. A 2-0 victory for Lumwana Radiants ensured they moved out of the relegation zone.

ALGERIA
A 2-1 home victory on Friday restored Mouloudia Alger’s five point lead at the top of Ligue 1 as they came from behind to beat CS Constantine 2-1 at the Stade 5 Julliet and advance to 37 points from 18 games. The visitors shocked by taking a fourth minute lead through Mounder Temine but MCA were quickly level when Ivorian import Kipre Zunon equalised with a shot from the edge of the box. But it was not until some 15 minutes from time that the leaders made sure of the win as Guinea international Mohamed Bangoura came on for his debut and slammed home a thunderbolt. Chabab Belouizdad had cut MCA’s lead to two points last Wednesday when they won 2-0 at home over bottom placed US Biskra in Algiers, scoring both goals in the last 30 minutes despite being down to 10 men after Jacques Mbe was sent off. Both MCA and Belouizdad go away for their next league fixture on Thursday against Mouloudia Oran and El Bayadh respectively. USM Alger’s defeat at El Bayadh on Thursday allowed JS Kabylie to join them on 29 points in joint third position. Kabylie were 2-1 winners over Paradou at home in Tizi Ouzou on Friday.

GUINEA
Ibrahima Sory Camara stole possession on the edge of the box to score a solo goal and ensure Hafia went back to a three point advantage at the summit of Ligue 1, ending Horoya’s unbeaten run in their top of the table clash. Hafia had been surprise home losers in their previous match at home to Guinee Foot Elite which allowed Horoya join them at the head of the log on 16 points. But Saturday’s success in Yorokoguia pushed Hafia onto 19 while Horoya stayed second. Anglogold Ashanti Golden Boys could have moved into second spot on Sunday but lost 2-1 at home in Kankan to Wakriya, for whom Mohamed Lamine Bangoura and Youssouf Camara were scorers. Amadou Diallo had given Ashanti the lead at half-time.

UGANDA
Vipers’ 1-0 victory over Mbarara City in Kitende on Sunday put them three points clear at the top of the Premier League and proved a fitting memorial for their Nigerian player Abubaker Lawal, who died last month. Allan Okello scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot as Vipers players wore black armbands to remember their teammate. Vipers advanced to 43 points from 18 matches, pushing ahead of second placed National Enterprise Corporation who had won 2-0 at home over Lugazi in Kampala on Saturday. BUL Jinja are third but 11 points adrift of NEC despite their 2-0 away win over Bright Stars in Wakiso on Saturday. Champions SC Villa lost at Ugandan Peoples Defence Forces in Bombo on Saturday and are in eighth place in the standings.

ESWATINI
Royal Leopard were 2-1 away winners at Illovo in Mayaluka on Saturday to join Green Mamba at the top of the Premier League. They are now on 39 points from 17 games, catching up to Green Mamba, who were held to a goalless draw by Ezulwini United in Siteki at the same time. Third in the league are Nsingizini Hotspurs who drew 0-0 in Manzini on Sunday against Moneni Pirates. Hotspurs are third on 36 points.