African Roundup

Hassan's goal helps leader Zamalek continue unbeaten run

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -- A roundup of league action from across the African continent at the weekend:

EGYPT - Veteran striker Hossam Hassan scored his first goal in more than six months as leaders Zamalek kept up their unbeaten run in the premier league on Sunday.

The 37-year-old Hassan, once the world's most capped international, was playing only his second match since returning to the team after a six-month dispute with coach Nelo Vingada.

Hassan's goal in a 1-0 away win over Sawahel retained Zamalek's nine-point gap over second-placed ENPPI.

ENPPI beat Korum 3-2 on Friday to remain a point clear of in-form Al Ahli, who have risen five places over the last two weeks.

A 3-0 win for the Cairo side over Aswan on Sunday night continued their rehabilitation since the return of Portuguese coach Manuel Jose.

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MOROCCO - A goalless draw in Saturday's top of the table clash means Royal Armed Forces have kept their two point lead at the top of the first division standings.

The army club drew with Wydad Casablanca in a dull match, presenting a chance for the rest of the chasing pack to gain ground on the leaders.

However, third placed Olympique Khouribga and fourth placed Olympique Meknes wasted their opportunities by losing their matches on Sunday.

Khouribga were beaten 1-0 at Mouloudia Oudja while Meknes lost 2-1 to Chabab Mohammedia, whose fourth win of the season moved them out of the relegation zone.

Raja Casablanca's meeting with Hassania Agadir was postponed because of Agadir's involvement in their African Champions League at the weekend.

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ALGERIA - JS Kabylie moved four points clear of defending champions USM Alger with a 2-0 win over CA Batna in Friday's programme of first division matches.

Hamid Berguiga and Farouk Belkaid's goals moved JSK up to 46 points on a day when USM Alger's scheduled match with Entente Setif postponed.

The title race looks virtually certain to be contested between the two clubs after third placed Mouloudia Alger fell further off the pace with a 1-1 home draw against USM Blida on Friday.

MC Alger are 11 points behind JSK in the standings.

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SOUTH AFRICA - Kaizer Chiefs moved closer to leaders Santos on Saturday, winning 3-1 against Black Leopards in Johannesburg to go second in the premier league standings.

The Chiefs are three points off the Cape Town team but have played five games fewer than the top side.

Zambian signing Collins Mbesuma scored on his Chiefs debut but injured himself in the process and had to be stretched off.

Mamelodi Sundowns won their first away match of the season on Sunday with a 2-0 triumph over Silver Stars at Polokwane.

The Pretoria club, who have won three championships in the last seven seasons, moved away from the relegation zone with the victory, only their second in the league since November.

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CAMEROON - Champions Cotonsport recovered from a mediocre start to the season last weekend to win away against Universite Ngaoundr on Sunday.

Cotonsport needed a penalty 11 minutes from time by Vital Mevengue to secure all three points in their Pool A match.

Last weekend the champions were held to a goalless draw in their opening game of the new campaign.

There was a surprise defeat in Pool B on Sunday for Canon Yaounde, champions two years ago and runners-up last season.

Canon suffered a 1-0 defeat at home against newly-promoted Botafago, whose winner came late in the game from Elimbe Wose.

Racing Bafoussam's 2-0 away win at Union Douala mans they are the only side with a 100 percent record after the first two rounds of the new-look championship, where the 18 clubs have been divided into two separate groups for the first round stage.

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NIGERIA - Gabros International and Enugu Rangers share the lead in the early stages of the Nigerian premier league after both sides won at the weekend.

Gabros beat Plateau United 2-0 in Nnewi with second-half goals from Chukwuma Ezeagu and Kingsley Eleta to move onto seven points from their opening three matches.

Rangers also won 2-0 at home on Sunday with a triumph over struggling Wikki Tourists.

Champions Enyimba are among a group of three clubs one point behind the joint leaders.

Enyimba ground out a second successive win, beating Kwara United 1-0 with a late winner from Benedict Ime against their 10-man opponents, who had their goalkeeper sent off just before half-time.

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IVORY COAST - Champions ASEC Abidjan won their third successive match of the season with a 6-0 demolition of Racing Daloa on Sunday.

Beauregard Tia Maba marked his first game of the season with two goals in the first half and Donatien Kouadio Brou also scored twice in the runaway win in Abidjan.

ASEC share the lead on nine points with traditional rivals Africa Sports, who also kept up their unbeaten record with a 2-0 win over Stella Abidjan on Friday.

Blaise Kouassi scored after just three minutes and Noel Mobio made sure of the points with a second goal in stoppage time at the end of the match.

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SENEGAL - AS Dounaes became the new first division leaders on Sunday, hammering US Goree 3-0 in Rufisque to move on to 24 points.

Douanes' climb to the top was aided by the fact that rivals Diaraf Dakar were playing in the African Champions League in neighbouring Gambia on Sunday.

Junior international Nicolas Dione opened the scoring for the customs team with Serigne Mansour Ndione adding the next two goals.

Dounaes have a one-point lead over ASC Ndiambour, who beat relegation-threatened ASFA 1-0 on Sunday. Diaref Dakar are a further point back but have a game in hand.

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ANGOLA - Petro Huambo and Sonangol both registered three-goal wins in the only Girabola matches played at the weekend, but are still well off the early pace setters in the league.

The majority of the league programme had been moved because of the participation of Angolan clubs in African club competition matches at the weekend.

Petro Huambo beat Academica Soyo 3-0 on Saturday while Sonangol won by the same scoreline against FC Bravos in Namibie.

Bravos and Soyo have lost all four of their opening matches this season.

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