Ceramica open lead in Egyptian Premier League, UD Songo march on
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.
EGYPT
With Al Ahly competing in TotalEnergies CAF Champions League action at the weekend, Ceramica Cleopatra made full use of the opportunity to open up their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Their 2-0 away win over Pharco in Alexandria on Saturday advanced them to 29 points, six more than Ahly, who have played one game less. Defender Hussein El Sayed and South African import Fagrie Lakay scored in the last 15 minutes of the match.
Both El Gouna and Petrojet moved themselves up to mid-table respectability with success on Sunday. El Gouna were 2-0 victors away at Al Ittihad in Alexandria, while Petrojet had a 3-1 triumph at home over Haras El Hodood in Cairo, where there were two dramatic goals in stoppage time from Adham Hamed and Ivorian midfielder Abdoulaye Diabate to secure the points.
There will be three matches for reigning African champions Pyramids over the next fortnight, which offers them the chance to catch up to Ceramica Cleopatra if they win. But for the rest of the protagonists, the Egyptian league has paused now until after the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations is completed on January 18 next year.
MOZAMBIQUE
UD Songo continue their impressive march to the MocamBola title as Luís Miquissone’s goal in a 1-0 away win over Ferroviário Beira on Saturday put them five points away from being crowned champions. It also extended their record-breaking streak of successive league wins to 16.
They have six games to play and are up to 53 points, 17 more than second-placed Black Bulls, who also won on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Chingale Tete. If Black Bulls win their remaining seven games, they will finish with a maximum of 57 points.
Ferroviário Beira are in third sport, two points behind Black Bulls but having played three games more. At the other end of the table, Desportivo Matola are on the cusp of being relegated as they lost 3-0 away at Ferroviário Nacala.
The three clubs that are to be promoted next year were decided at the weekend in regional finals as Desportiva Sofala won a top-flight place for the first time while Desportiva Pemba ascended to the top tier 25 years after their last appearance in the MocamBola. Also back are seven-time champions Maxaquene from Maputo.
GUINEA
Kaloum Star kept up their unbeaten start to the new Ligue 1 season with a 1-0 away win over champions Horoya in Dubréka that puts them five points clear at the top of the standings. Kankou Mady Kourouma netted the winner in the 75th minute to give ASK 16 points from six games.
Wakirya, who are the only other unbeaten side still this season, are in second spot on 11 points but only play their sixth game on the season on Tuesday when they are away at Ashanti Golden Boys, who have yet to win a game in the new campaign, in Kankan. Horoya stayed in third place on 10 points from six games.
ETHIOPIA
Awassa Kenema moved up to join Sidama Bunna at the head of the Premier League standings with an early season scramble for places seeing something of a traffic jam at the top. Awassa Kenema won 1-0 away against Welwalo Adigrat University in Addis Ababa on Friday to sit on 13 points from six games.
They trail Sidama Bunna, who were held to a goalless draw by Mekelle 70 Enderta on Thursday, on goal difference only. There are three clubs sitting on 12 points – Mekelakeya and Fasil Kenema are both unbeaten while Kedus Gorgis (St George) suffered a surprise loss to Hadiya Hoseana in Hawassa on Friday.