African club round-up: Power Dynamos edge closer to title 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 remained on course for the Super League title even after leaving it late to claim a point in the Kitwe Derby against hosts Nkana FC in a 1-1 draw on Monday.
They are four points ahead of second-placed ZESCO United, who beat relegation-threatened Lumwana Radiants 1-0 at the same time to keep their slim hopes alive with two rounds of fixtures to be completed. Dynamos needed an injury-time penalty from Brian Masaninga to rescue a point Jacob Ngulube had given Nkana the lead midway through the second half. The draw brought to an end a run of 10 straight leagues victories for Dynamos and one from their final two games will ensure they are champions for an eighth time. Freddy Michael scored the only goal of the game as ZESCO kept up their challenge. heat on the leaders, and they go to Mutondo Stars and host Atletico Lusaka in their final two games.
Defending champions Red Arrows beat bottom side Indeni FC 2-1 thanks to Alassane Diarra’s brace after Jonathan Munalula had given the already-relegated visitors an early lead. Forest Rangers improved their chances of survival with a 1-0 win at Mufulira Wanderers, ending a run of nine straight draws.
ALGERIA
Frontrunners Mouloudia Alger, Chabab Belouizdad and JS Kabylie all won at the weekend to keep up their three-way battle for the Ligue 1 title as the season heads for an exciting conclusion. Ayoub Ghezala scored shortly after half-time as MCA won 1-0 away at last placed US Biskra on Saturday to stay one point ahead at the summit with a total of 44 points. They also have a game in hand on Belouizdad (43 points) and Kabylie (40). Belouizdad pulled off a remarkable comeback with three goals in the last three minutes as they ran out 3-2 home winners over Esperance Mostaganem in Algiers on Saturday. Ramdane Hitala made 2-0 to second-from-bottom ESM with 11 minutes to go but two goals in as many minutes from Aimen Mahious had matters level as the match moved into stoppage time before Rezki Hamroune grabbed the winner right before the final whistle. JSK also snatched a last gasp win through Senegalese import Babacar Sarr as they won 1-0 away at USM Alger. It was a blow to USMA’s outside chances and they remain fifth, 11 points behind the leaders. JSK will host Belouizdad next weekend.
BURKINA FASO
Leaders Rahimo suffered a surprise setback in Bobo-Dioulasso on Friday as a 92nd minute goal from Assane Diabate handed US Comoe a shock 1-0 win and effectively opened up the championship race. Rahimo’s lead is now three points with four matches left in the season as second placed SONABEL cut their advantage in half by beating defeding champions Douanes 1-0 away in Ouagadougou on Saturday, grabbing a late winner through Sansan Dah. Rahimo have 48 points to SONABEL’s 45 with third placed USFA on 44, after they had a 2-0 home win over ASEC Koudougou in Ouagadougou on Saturday.
GABON
Unbeaten Mangasport beat neighbours CF Mouana on Saturday to move to within touching distance of taking the Championnat D1 title, as they are now 21 points ahead of four clubs in second place on 25 points-- Stade Mandji, US Oyem, Bouenguidi and Lozo. The runaway leaders need a single point from their last six matches to secure the title. Mick Kila Onfia scored after 20 minutes in the derby for Mangasport’s 14th win in 18 games. Stade Mandji won 3-0 at home to Lambarene in Port-Gentil on Saturday to move second on goal difference as Bouenguidi and Oyem both lost on the weekend.
SOUTH SUDAN
Striker Pap Chol scored four goals on Saturday as leaders Kator handed Koryom a 6-1 thumping at the Juba National Stadium. He scored the opener after two minutes and had completed his hattrick by halftime. Jamus are second, two points behind Kator but with three games in hand, after beating fourth placed Al Merrikh Bentiu 3-1 in Juba, also on Saturday.