Kaizer Chiefs are in second place

Santos remained at the top of the standings, following a 3-1 home win over Lamontville Golden Arrows.

But the real race for the championship is between second placed Kaizer Chiefs and Ajax Cape Town, who are just behind them.

Santos have a three point lead over the pair but have played considerably more matches in a championship affected by postponements because of the African Nations Cup finals and recent Olympic Games qualifying matches.

Chiefs overcame a jaded first half performance to beat arch rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 at Mabopane while Ajax survived a testing trip to the north of the country by beating Silver Stars 2-0 in Polokwane.

John Moshoeu, 38, scored the opening goal for Chiefs and his ninth of the season.

Chiefs and Ajax are both on 43 points but Chiefs have a superior goal difference and also two games in hand.

Zamalek's lead has been cut to eight points

Zamalek had their lead cut to eight points after a surprise 1-1 draw at home against relegation-threatened Quanah.

The champions' unbeaten record was preserved by a penalty from Egyptian international defender Bechir Al Tabei.

Al Ahly secured their second place after a 3-0 away win over Baladeyet Al Mehalla - all the goals coming in the second half through Hassan Mostafa, Ahmed Abou Mosalem and Gilberto.

Ahly are now two points ahead of Enppi, who suffered their second defeat of the season, losing 2-1 at Ismaili.

USM Algiers are in the drivers seat in Algeria

Champions USM Alger's chances of a third successive title were enhanced by a tough 1-0 away win over Chabab Belouzidad.

In the only league match played this week because of Cup action, USMA scored early through defender Mohamed Hamdoud.

They lead JS Kabylie on goals difference.

Champions Cotonsport maintain their good form this season, with a 1-0 away triumph at Unisport Bafang, which kept them at the top of pool A.

Bitrus Baba scored midway through the first half to make it three wins out of four for the unbeaten Cotonsport.

They have a one point lead over Fovu Baham, who won 2-0 against Kadji Sports Academy.

Racing Bafoussam lead in pool B with 10 points from their first four games but dropped their first points of the season as they drew 0-0 at PWD Bamenda.

This year's championship in Cameroon has been split into two pools of nine teams.

Enyimba are struggling to find championship form

African champions Enyimba were handed a surprise 1-0 home defeat by Dolphin FC of Port Harcourt as their faltering start to the new campaign under new coach Micheal Urukalo continued.

It was only the second loss at home in more than a year for the side from Aba, who last December became the first Nigerian club to win the African Champions League.

Enyimba remain two points off the pace after all the other front-runners faltered.

Gabros International remain in the lead on 13 points, but only on goal difference from Dolphin FC and Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

Gabros were beaten 1-0 away in Jos by Mighty Jets, while Shooting Stars were held to a goalless draw at home by Insurance of Benin City.

Beauregard Tia Mabea scored twice as ASEC Abidjan won 4-0 away at bottom placed Bingerville, going two points clear after five rounds of the new season.

The defending champions lead by two points.

Satellite FC, in second place, won 1-0 away at RC Daloa.

Four teams are in joint second in Zimbabwe

After starting the new season with two wins, Eiffel Flats suffered their first defeat to Masvingo United.

They lost 3-0, with two goals scored by Lloyd Hlahla and a penalty by Ackim Muganyi.

Shabanie Mine top the premier league with three wins out of three.

Caps United, Masvingo, Highlanders and Eiffel Flats, who are all on six points, are in joint second place.

Sagrada Esperance are at the top of the Girabola after a 2-1 home win over Sonangol gave them a one point lead.

Chinho scored both goals, elevating the side from the south of the country to 13 points, one more than Primeiro Agosto.

Primeiro, the army club, won their Luanda derby with a 1-0 triumph over police team InterClube with defender Elisio getting the only goal.

Raja were forced to a draw by Olympique Khourigba

Two goals from Ahmed Ajdou helped Royal Armed Forces to a convincing 3-1 win over Maghreb Fes, extending their lead to four points.

Far took advantage of a chasing pack that faltered in their respective games.

Second-placed Wydad Casablanca lost ground after being held to a surprise goalless draw at home by second-from-bottom Ittihad Khemisset, while a last-minute equaliser by Olympique Khourigba's Jawad Akdar gave them a 1-1 home draw against Raja Casablanca, keeping them in third place.

Nigerian imports Ogochukwu Obiakor and Emeka Opara scored two of the three goals for Etoile Sahel in their 3-0 home win over CS Hammam-Lif.

Etoile are within three points of leaders Esperance.

Etoile Sahel now have 28 points, but Esperance have a match in hand after their scheduled meeting with Stade Tunisien was postponed due to Stade Tunisien's involvement in the African Confederation Cup.

Club Africain, who appointed Youssef Zouaoui as their third coach of the season last weekend, remained in contention with a 3-0 away win at ES Beni Khalled.